30 Week Pregnancy Update

At 30 weeks, Baby is the length of a large cucumber!

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 23lbs
Maternity clothes: Tops aren't long enough anymore! It's way too early for this. I'm long waisted so it's always a problem but still. A belly hanging out from under a shirt is up there with the least attractive things in life.

Sleep: Fine. Starting to feel a nap coming on in the afternoons. I mentioned last time that I was loving not needing them! I'm definitely missing my energy. 

Best moment this week: Being with family. Which has nothing to do with pregnancy but it's true :)
Movement: Still plenty!

Cravings: Same - Not really too bad. Still a big glass of milk in the mornings, the occasional candy and still no interest in chicken. Bleh.
Symptoms: Losing my energy fast. Restless leg syndrome is back sometimes at night. Also, I realized recently what ISN'T happening! Unlike last time, I don't have that crazy black line on my belly, acne, or blurry vision. I thought I did but I just needed to replace my contacts - ha!
What I miss: My 20 year old body :)

What I am looking forward to: Holding Walker!

Weekly Wisdom: It's fun to watch Shelby curl up next to my belly at night only to constantly be jostled by Walker's movement. :) She's so over it and usually ends up by Beau. 

Milestones: I think 30 weeks is a milestone - it means only 2 more months and down to every-2-week appointments. Sono this Thursday!

Other updates: I got the green light from my doctor to go to New Orleans! As long as things keep the way they are, of course. Which is great b/c I hadn't even considered not going.

A 30 week belly the 2nd time around!

At 30 weeks with Grayson.

10 Days of Thanksgiving

Beau has been home for 10 glorious days, which alone is plenty to be thankful for! I thought I'd take a chance to give thanks to one thing on each of those days. So, 10 Days of Thanks (in no order) along with the few pictures we took this week...

Day 1) Time - I'm thankful for the time that we're all given. I feel like I've been so lucky to have all this time with my parents and grandmothers. And especially with Grayson. I'm thankful for the time we get with Beau. I always wish we had more time with him but even after these 10 days, I still want more. Maybe that's a good strategy, always leave your spouse wanting more time with you. ;) I only pray for the most amount of time possible with the people that I love.

With Mimi at the holiday bazaar at Ma's place.

Ma Smith and Maw Caldwell catching up on Thanksgiving

Day 2) Family - I wish I could lock everyone in a mansion and make them spend time with me forever :) Too harsh? The holidays remind me how much I love all the personalities in our family. From cousins to in-laws to sisters - I am thankful for them all - even when we can't be together all the time.

Pop, Grayson and Mimi
Once again, not one single picture with each side of the family! And we spent 3 days straight with the Dallas Caldwells and Maw! Sheesh. Oh well, love to all!

Day 3) Friends - Near and far, all of them, all of you. So, so thankful for every friend's personality that has graced my life!

Sorority sisters together for the holidays!
JoDee is visiting from Singapore - we miss her so much!
L to R: Me, JoDee, Jenne and Michelle

Beau's fraternity brothers and wives
L to R: Sarah, Parm, Deran, Pam, Cal and Beau

Day 4) God's Plan - I don't know what He has in store for us but if there were nothing but dark days ahead, I'd have enough in my 32 years of memories so far to get through them. I have so much to look back on, from my childhood to some great college years, the single years in Dallas with friends, a crazy career, and of course, this time with Beau and Grayson. Incredibly blessed and thankful for every minute that has been given to me.

Day 5) This personality, the feet that fill those boots, those eyes, that smile and that tiny voice.

Why yes, that IS a cucumber on the floor. Which is strange with no explanation. 30 Week pregnancy/veggie comparison blog entry to follow! :)

Day 6) Baby Walker, so far - I give thanks to God every day for this little guy. This always goes hand in hand with my prayers for Grayson, but it's true. I was getting so frustrated and sad that he wasn't here as fast as I wanted. But I'm loving God's timing, am thankful for this pregnancy so far and pray daily for the healthiest outcome. I am so thankful for this journey so far. 

Brinkley is such a camera hog ;)

Day 7) Beau's work ethic - I sometimes make bad, unfunny jokes about Beau's job being "boring." I need to stop that because he loves what he does, he strives to learn more every day and not a lot of people know how to do it. He and his work ethic have been the main reason I can rest my head at night with little worry even when he's in another state still at the office and working a 20 hour day. And he has NEVER complained about it once. So thankful for all that he does.

Okay, so I don't have any pictures of him at his job but he applies that same work ethic to everything he does around the house and for that, I am SO thankful!

Day 8) Health - So, so thankful that we're all healthy. And that we don't have much family history of anything. I pray every day that this is our normal.

Christmas card photo outtake!

Day 9) Safety - I'm so thankful for a safe city, neighborhood and house and the people, like our police officer neighbor, who selflessly keep us feeling that way. Feeling secure is invaluable and I'm thankful for the people that put their lives on the line daily for that. 

Day 10) Fears - Don't get me wrong, I wish I didn't have any. But I'm grateful for these feelings because they're a reminder of how good things are the rest of the time. I've lost a job and worried about how I was going to pay the bills. I've feared for safety, feared that I'd never meet my husband or wouldn't be able to have children or stay home with them. My fears keep things a little more balanced and make things that much more beautiful when they happen the other way. I still fear that I'm going to lose any member of my family at any time. This helps me to cherish every minute I have with them. Otherwise, I'd be delusional thinking we're all invincible. :)

Happiest of Thanksgivings to all of our loved ones near and far! xoxo

Grayson is (almost) 2 1/2!

I have been meaning to write this post for many weeks now and yet, I feel like you're a completely different kid than last week and the week before. If I wrote an update just on you each week, there would be so much to add! We are just so proud of the boy you are (quickly) growing up to be! I find myself anxious that I'm not capturing every minute of every day on video because you impress me so much! You're just growing up so fast and I want to freeze frame each little milestone. :)

Some of your current ones...

About 36 lbs, don't know height. Still one of the tallest in class and play group - that's all I've got! We really need a growth chart for you. 

You had your very first real school picture this year! 

And your first "theme" day at school, "Hat Day"! And you actually wore it the whole time :)

You are talking up a storm! We have real conversations (which also means real negotiations), you speak in 3-5 word sentences and have a very strong opinion about things. Where Mommy should sit, who is coming outside to play with you, what you're eating and which tool should be used on which project. :) We don't always understand what you're saying and you get your sounds mixed up (rock is rosh) but I don't really want that to change! It's just so precious! You have also mastered repeating what is on your mind a MILLION times. You can probably out-repeat any toddler. That or there are a bunch of mamas sympathizing nodding along with this right now :)

You count to 10 now but only when your Daddy counts with you. Your colors and basic shapes are there but you still mix them up occasionally. There are several songs that you and Mimi sing together. You're still learning the latest one (3 Little Monkeys) - I think this video is cute: 

You have good manners! Would Mimi have it any other way? ;) You confuse "Thank you" and "You're welcome" :) You say "Thank You" almost every time one of us gives you something but it comes out "Delcome!" So, so cute. You're still pretty shy around strangers so they don't hear your manners much. You say "Excuse me" when you burp or toot :) Also saying "Sorry" sometimes but it's especially cute when you say it for other people! Great at Hello and Goodbye with a kiss and hug. Don't change that.

Favorite things: Curious George still! All animated and Pixar movies (Pinnochio, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, Bee Movie, Cars, all of them!); baseball, golf, basketball and soccer; building with your tools, construction sites and tractors, playing with the dogs, running and wrestling with your friends (eek!), building blocks (finally!), but really you could just hit the baseball all day! 

Watching Curious George while I get ready. Don't ever lose those cheeks, please. 

You and Brinkley are "brudders"

You're a BIG builder. Tools and lumber and the different ramps and creations you put together are fun to see. Sometimes, you even build in the buff....

You moved the doggie ramp to the back door and slid out of the house  ;) That brain was hard at work.

I mentioned in my Halloween post that your arts and crafts projects are getting pretty cool. I love watching you create! The first 3 photos are from school, the last 2 are from some paint time with me :) 

You know I love me some hand print art!

Anyone think "Mariachi Grayson" when they first saw the one on the left? A turkey with feathers on the right ;)

Ahhh, hats are up there with hand/foot print art!

We painted and painted sheets of paper until that got old. So you asked to paint the centerpiece on the table.
And with 3 days until Thanksgiving and no guests expected over, I obliged.

And the painting pumpkins got old, so you painted your hands. I'm a big fan of letting you get dirty every once in a while! Especially with Melissa and Doug paint. God bless that easily washable stuff. I was a cool mom for a moment in time. :)

You make us laugh so hard! We love to see what you'll come up with next...

We're having a hiccup in the sleep department. Once you go down, you're great. But like clockwork, around 4 or 5am, we get a half-asleep, warm body with great hair cuddled up next to us. It's so much easier to roll over, nuzzle your hair and fall right back to sleep than take you back to your bed while you fight and cry becoming fully awake. We've tried it both ways and we're weak to your sleepy little breaths and button up PJs! So weak. It's gotta stop before Walker gets here!

Major brownie points to your Dad who found our new camera system! Not a baby monitor at all so it does a lot more than I expected and it's easy breezy. This pic was taken from the iPad. If any adults want more info, let me know!

You say Brinkley, Shelby and Walker but your name is still pretty tough. It comes out "ayson". You have no problem with "me" and "mine" ;)

You say "What's this?" to just about everything and then repeat back our answer. I love your curiosity! You've challenged me more than once, like when we're out on a walk and you point to some water, cable or electrical thing that I don't know about exactly. So I usually just say "drain" and you respond, "Drain. For water?" How did you know that?! 

Okay, this will just have to live here. You pooped then peed (we're talking stood up, turned around and went like an adult) the other day - all in one bathroom visit. No, we're not even potty training! I was proud, we celebrated and then went back to diapers b/c we're not potty training until closer to 3 (like after New Orleans: the French Quarter, wedding events, lots of babysitters, ballrooms, Bourbon Street and airports. You understand.) :) We sure were proud though! And look at your reaction!:

Two thumbs up! And in Christmas PJs b/c we have 6 pairs. Gotta get use out of them!

First haircut at a real place. We haven't liked the kiddie place haircuts so we went to Pop's lady and she did a great job! And we learned that all you need is a sucker to be happy. No movies or bubbles or cute chairs, which is awesome b/c this place is 1/3 the price!

Your teacher's notes have been really sweet telling me about the things you talk about and how kind you have been with your friends. We've really been working on that since you had a bad day with being gentle. We're proud of your progress and that there haven't been any other incidents! She also comments every week on your athletic ability - your Dad loves to hear about those! I love that you're seem to be a mix of us - your Dad's athleticism with my being particular. ;) For example, one day you were playing soccer at school and made almost every goal but only after insisting that Ms. Jenny move the goal in the shade ;) That's our boy!

You like to sit with Pop at the window and wave to cars and runners who pass by. He keeps a grip on you but I thought this pic was cute :) Love how you sit this way!

Finally, you have started using your thumb to point to things behind you. But also to the side of you and in front of you, which involves you twisting your whole arm around to get your thumb back to facing forward. omg, cutest thing ever. 

You are our world, Grayson Luke! 

Even a smile on your face when you're being belted in!

28 Week Pregnancy Update

At 28 weeks, Baby is the size of an eggplant!

How far along? 28 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 20lbs
Maternity clothes: Being pregnant in the opposite season as the last time really proves to be a challenge in the wardrobe department! 
Stretch marks? So far, so good.

Sleep: Fine. Getting up about 2x a night but can usually go right back to bed. Haven't really felt like I needed a nap   during the day yet. I don't look forward to that part of the end of pregnancy.

Best moment this week: Grayson now starts conversations about his "brothers." :) He's very protective of the belly, usually shooing Shelby away to protect "them" all while leaning on my belly to do so. It's too cute. 
Movement: I am a punching bag! Most of the day too. I love it. I remember back to missing this feeling when we were having trouble getting pregnant. All I wanted was to feel a baby again, especially sine I never took the time to appreciate it with Grayson. At least I felt like I hadn't. So when this kid is working my insides over - I like to think about that. :)

Cravings: Not really too bad. Still a big glass of milk in the mornings, the occasional candy and still no interest in chicken. Bleh.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, back pain, my belly button gets places before I do and I'm having a little more difficulty getting up off the floor these days! I always forget about that, will squat down with ease to put G's shoe on or something and then have trouble getting up. :)
What I miss: Being able to bend over and pick things up or move stuff from the washer/dryer without grunting ;)

What I am looking forward to: Meeting this little guy and seeing Grayson meet him for the first time. I told my parents and Beau this morning that I hope this one is my cuddly, gently boy (as Gray was trying to body slam each of them to the floor). Their responses were that it's unlikely! 

Weekly Wisdom: 

Milestones: I'm in the 3rd trimester! After this week's appt, we move to every 2 weeks. And at 30 weeks, we get a sono!

Other updates: The diabetes test came back negative. They did show that my iron is low but that's pretty common. All I had to do was tell that to my mom and she had "iron-rich foods" googled and on the menu for this week. :) Also having trouble wearing my contacts all day, which I remember being a problem last time. I got the urge to play with some baby clothes yesterday so I pulled out the outfits for the hospital. Beau and I are going to try really hard to get out of there in under 4 days but still, that's a lot of opportunity for wardrobe changes! :)

Outtakes of our fun morning photo shoot with the worst, smallest, wrinkliest eggplant that Tom Thumb could possibly sell....

Things went downhill quickly 

Halloween 2012 - All of it!

I have a blog secret. With marathon holidays like this one, I actually begin drafting my blog post at the beginning of the month. Crazy, right? I just know that I'd never get to it if I tried to do it all at once. While I'm so happy to move on to Thanksgiving, we did have a blast this month so here is October in one ridiculously long pre-filled-out recap! :)

Pumpkin Patch - I know everyone loves the pumpkin patches that are like 20 miles away but Grace Avenue has such a cute little set-up right here in Frisco with everything you need: pumpkins of all sizes, a maze, bounce houses, photo backdrops and hay rides and it's all FREE. So, here we are at the church that we seem to spend more time at these days than our own....

No time for pictures with Mama!

 Arts and Crafts - Another year of some fun crafty things around the house. But this year, Grayson also had plenty that he brought home from school! I really look forward to picking him up each day as there is always something awesome in his basket! 

I have a soft spot for foot and hand prints - can't get enough of them! 

More school goodies. These definitely made his giant artwork folder! (not all do ;) )

Grayson and I made a Q-tip skeleton! G wanted to name him "Bite." So we did. :) Oh, and his bow tie looks like a band-aid - ha!

This one was fun. I cut out all the windows and Gray got to put his stickers inside the house. 

Beau can not resist a crafts project! I was so content painting pumpkins while he and Grayson were making a sword out of wood in the backyard when he came in to grab something. Before I knew it, he had a brush and the pumpkin that I was working on in his hands! It cracks me up b/c he's such a dude the rest of the time.

Voila! I love how they turned out. We shall keep them until they rot. And then keep them some more.

Trunk or Treat - Have I been living under a rock? This is seriously the first year I've ever even heard this term (I even asked the girl next to me at my MOPS table if I heard the announcement correctly), then soon after see just about every church, local organization, person w/ kids in my Facebook newsfeed talking about their very own Trunk or Treat event! Did this exist last year? Where have I been? There were too many people there to get good pics of some of the themed trunks but goodness, people put tons of effort into this! 

Refused to dress up so we just threw on his bomber jacket and called him The Fonz ;)

With Daddy

Fake smile so he could get back to eating his candy :)

Church Festival - St. Philip's put on quite the festival this year and we were really excited to get to attend! Sad to miss our play group's annual shindig that was at the same time but Andrea was in town so she and my mom joined the 3 of us. We got to see a lot of church friends we hadn't seen in a while so it was nice! And a beautiful day to boot!

Father Clay in the dunk tank - it was like 55 degrees outside!

Father/Son football lesson

Covered in bake sale goodies

Oh. My. World!

Halloween Night - A busy day with a lot of surprises for this child! School, then Mimi picked him up for some trick-or-treating at Ma's retirement community! They had a fun party and apparently then women all looked pretty fabulous in their get-ups! ;) I stayed behind to set up for the block party and bounce house!

Proved me wrong! We got him in a costume at the last minute!

Heading back for one more kiss and hug. Can I brag? We seriously have the best hugger/kisser. Hopes he's still like this when he's 16. Yeah right. ;)

Bye bye Mommy! He's so good at taking off and leaving without tears! My big boy.

The Good Witch and Elmo (Isn't Ma adorable?!)

 Neighborhood Block Party - We were all so pleased with the turn-out! I'd say we had more traffic than our Spring Fling earlier this year! Our neighbors are really starting to get to know each other, which is the goal, so yay. The Asels and Reynolds have decided to do this 2x a year as a tradition. Also a tradition, the caramel vodka shots and apples and caramel dipping sauce (used a chaser) that one of the families brought! Holler. A total hit and our new best friends (kidding on that last part ;)).

Earlier in the evening 

The Asels rockin' Scooby Doo! They even had the soundtrack playing! Haha.

Loves "Wowery's" (Lowery's) scooter. On the Christmas list, for sure.

What a great month! For next year, I'm already scheming a Family of 4 costume of some kind! :)