The Caldwells Move to Frisco!

I am SO thrilled that my parents are moving up here! They have always talked about moving out of Corpus Christi - I just never really thought they would do it. :-) I can't wait to have them so close and to be able to eat dinners with them and have them watch Grayson grow up - it's such a blessing! And I REALLY can't wait to have date nights with Beau and possibly even travel without having to worry about a capable babysitter. My mom can't wait to shoo us off so she can get this baby all to herself. And she hasn't even met him yet. :)

It's probably a little too early to make this announcement since they still need to close on the house in 3 weeks but I'm just too excited! And the house is so pretty! Exactly what they need - spacious and on the golf course so the mornings will be so peaceful for their morning coffee. I may be over there to enjoy it as well. They are 1/2 a mile from us! And my mom's hair will love the low humidity.

Beau is also excited about the big move! This is why:

He eats REALLY well in the presence of my parents. They just love to feed him and it never ceases to amaze any of just how much (and how quickly) Beau can eat! Look at the size of that steak! We can't wait to have more of these dinners with them!

My Dad and Beau are big buds and will no doubt get in plenty of trouble together....I can just see the ideas they will come up with - climbing on roofs, deep frying everything in the fridge, shooting guns where they shouldn't, the list goes on... :-)

Love these kids!

28 Weeks - You Sneaky Little Thing...

My goodness - my first missed weekly update! Here you are on pins and needles wondering which fruit/veggie we are this week and I have left you hanging. My apologies. There is so much to tell you about - Easter, my parent's big move, their beautiful new house!, and updates on our house flood repairs (which the update is that there is no update. ha.)....but in the meantime, here is the 28 week update the day before we hit 29 weeks [sigh]....

How your baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Our Sweet Felix

Beau and I went down to Corpus Christi for Easter for many reasons but most importantly, it would be one of our last trips since my parents are moving to Frisco. I wanted to say goodbye to their house and to Felix, the most gorgeous cat ever! My parents have been working on adoption opportunities for Felix since he was an outdoor cat and everyone knows if you transport an outdoor cat they will run away looking for their home. I loved being in their home one last time and seeing Felix while I was there. Well, last night Felix was taken from us too early by two low life stray dogs. :-( He was the sweetest, most perfect cat and while we were all having a hard time with leaving him behind in Corpus, this is even harder to deal with.

This has added a very difficult twist during an otherwise very exciting time for my parents and me. This comes on the heels of saying goodbye to Geeto a couple of months ago - a cat we have had for 13 years. These 2  guys were my dad's buddies so it's tough. The last picture is of the two kitties together :-)

Is Felix not the most beautiful cat you have ever seen?!

Diaper Bag!

If you were a peeping tom, you would possibly see me prancing around my house (by myself) with this strapped to my back! Can a mom-to-be be more excited about a bag than a baby? I mean I'm not...just wondering...

Might as well be a bullseye...

As with every new experience, there is just so much about pregnancy that I never knew about or could even dream up until I started going through it myself. I used to read articles and blogs and watch movies and you hear about the basics: bigger boobs, stretch marks, fatigue, back pain, etc. And even some of the less popular topics: that black line that runs down your tummy, feet swelling, outie belly button and saggy boobs (yeah, don't be fooled that "bigger boobs" mean perfectly shaped & lots of cleavage. Pssh). But there is just so much more wackiness that you don't hear about. I thought it best to include this article so that I don't have to tell you myself - don't worry not ALL women have ALL symptoms - some of these I just don't experience (yet)...but I'm including it b/c my biggest surprise made it as #1 in this article! It's just strange how tender my belly button is! And it wouldn't be such a big deal if Shelby wasn't climbing on me (I'm a big failure with that training I planned) or if I didn't have people POKING AT IT! Yes, friends, family and strangers, I had someone poke my belly button last night at a wedding and I thought I might die. Of course, I'm sure they don't know about this secret pregnancy symptom either, right?! And it's my fault for wearing a dress where the fleur de lis-like print was perfectly centered on my big belly (difficult-to-see pic below). Might as well have been a bullseye! So, I'm not mad at all just want to put it out there: a) don't poke at the prego and b) you just wait, when it's your turn I may just poke back ;-)

Next shocking revelation....restless leg syndrome. Not even kidding. I'll post about that after you have fully digested this post...

Hello Week 27!

Boy, do you feel HUGE! As I sit on the couch typing this on my laptop, I can't help but feel beached! You may be thinking "You haven't felt anything yet!"....and I'm terrified that you are right! I can't eat the same amount of food that I used to but it's as though my brain and eyes haven't figured that out yet. So, here I sit after Mooyah Burger absolutely miserable and uncomfortable.

I'm having a fun day so far! The weather is gorgeous and I'm wearing a spring dress and cardigan! Spring is FINALLY here! (even though the high tomorrow is only 61). After a very productive morning of running errands, I'm now listening to my parents plot their Frisco property search at the breakfast table for this afternoon :-) They are so funny to listen to and I'm just going to be along for the ride. I still can't believe they are moving here! Most people know that I love nothing more than (well, besides my family) shopping for homes! I love real estate and look at homes even when I'm not in the market so this is double-exciting for me!

How your baby's growing:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

If I ran this house...

I would be refreshing plenty of our decor inspired by this great Spring weather! I have my eye on a ton of things, from area rugs to bedroom sets (remember, I dream about a king bed)....but don't worry, I know it's not practical with a baby on the way and all. But these are some of the smaller things that I would purchase. Beau has already threatened to move out so because I can't purchase, I will share them here. A space that I do run! ;-)

Who wouldn't want these pillows?! Um, Beau.

And this shower curtain...precious! I just can't get enough of ruffles. As you can tell. They also make this in curtains and a bedspread....a Ruffle Trifecta!

This is one that I think I can manage. I see it going over the breakfast table and it helps that Beau hates the light fixture that came with the house. I've gotten the "nod" on this one, which is a much better sign than the "shaking head" or the "walking away" or the ultimate NO, which is a combination of these. :-)

I would do a pair of these chairs in the living room with a solid cream couch. BUT, I do agree with Beau that comfort is first so alas, loving them from afar will have to do. Plus, I'm no fool. A cream couch only works in movies where they don't have dogs. Or babies. Or husbands who spill.

And there you have it. In my dream Spring home, tons of creams with punches of colors like navy blue and yellow.

26 Week Update (or All Ears)

Depending on who you believe, I have 1 or 2 weeks left until my 3rd trimester! Babycenter says 2 weeks, my trusted book says next week marks the big moment. In any case, I just have it stuck in my head that feeling REALLY uncomfortable, tired and huge will hit day 1 like clockwork. Similar to all the first/second trimester transition stories I have heard - how headaches and nausea for others just suddenly stopped as they went into their 13th week - this is how I picture changes to the third. I just love how I've been feeling - I don't want it to come to an end! Oh well, I'm already feeling bigger than ever in the hips so bring it on!

P.S. I can't even imagine this baby moving any more or harder than he does now! I know it's coming but he needs to go easy on me. Isn't there a term for women who are hopelessly in love with their abuser? That's me ;-)

How your baby's growing:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

Whoa! Some fruit comparison expert was feeling a little adventurous when they came up with the 26th fruit! An English Hothouse Cucumber?! Fun!

Here's another treat for you - an update on what we suspect Baby Gray looks like. Funny, he doesn't LOOK like a boxer.....

Beau Gets A Promeaution

How exciting, right?! Especially since it wasn't one of those "wait for it.....wait for it...." ones, it was actually a pleasant surprise. No doubt he deserves it & we both knew this was going to be the next step soon but we just expected the company to take a little while, as many of them do with these things. So props to Palladium Group for taking care of their people! He is now a Senior Consultant - I am so proud of him! We both have no regrets that he declined the position at Ernst & Young and remained with this company. They are so good to him! Now if we can just get him out of El Dorado, Arkansas and back in a city where Applebee's isn't THE restaurant in town ;-)

On that note, small rant....why do companies as large as Murphy Oil and Walmart keep their headquarters in such small, inconvenient-to-everything towns?! I mean, way to be loyal to your peeps but my goodness the inefficiencies with travel and like things. Oh well, if I ever own such a company I will base it out of Tahiti so who am I to judge. 

Love you Beaubs!!!

Glass Half Full

I came home Monday from work to the guest side of the house in standing water! The water heater busted and water ran into the utility room, 2nd bedroom, guest bathroom and hallway damaging our floors, rugs and some baseboards and possibly portions of the walls. In the grand scheme of things, it really isn't as bad as say a fire or a massive flood of the city where houses are in like 4 feet of standing water. It has been more of a nuisance than anything since I have been in a hotel for a week with the dogs while 18 huge fans ran day in and day out this week to dry that side of the house. They were SO loud! We really are in a good place with everything and feel so lucky that the nursery was saved!! The whole guest side of the house was wet EXCEPT that room! (Cheers to an un-level house ;-)) Thank goodness since we have all of our baby gear sitting on the floor and all the furniture up. Not to mention, if they had to tear down those beautiful green walls I have agonized over, I would not have been happy!

Here's a little taste of what went down Monday night. Beau was out of town so I called him to tell him the news. The neighbors were all on vacation for Spring Break and I don't know how to turn water off (uh, golden key that goes into the ground by the street, what??) so Beau calls back to tell me that the FIRE DEPT. is on their way! All this while I hear sirens approaching the house. Mortified. 2 trucks pulled up and 6 firemen piled out and really treated it as an emergency! It was crazy but they were wonderful! Really took care of our things (vision of a fireman carrying my wedding dress to safety flashes in my head a lot), did a great job of getting all the water out of the house, moved furniture to dry it, and even backed the car out of the garage so that the guys could begin carrying wet items out to dry. SO sweet! I never even knew they did this stuff!

Shelby and Brinkley enjoyed the hotel. I mean, how could they not? It's like a second home after the lightning strike just 10 short months ago! We are back in the house today, new water heater installed and Beau will begin working with the insurance company (don't you know they love us) and a contractor for the floors and walls on Monday. My biggest heartbreak and nervous point is tearing up these beautiful floors and matching new floors to the rest of the house. I can't imagine that going well! 

Oh well, we are so lucky - this could have been so much worse! The glass really is half full around here....half full of murky, stagnant water ;-)

Beau Knows Baseball

Do you know how giddy I am that a) I can use this well-known Nike campaign slogan as my headline, b) that it's actually relevant and c) that I thought of it ALL on my own?! I know, I know. It's too much. 

We have had a gorgeous Dallas weekend (yes, Spring!) and today was a perfect day for Beau to have his first baseball game of the season! This was my first time to go to one (hello, they're in Irving) so I loaded up Brinkley, filled up the gas tank and made my way to Irving via 4 different highways. It was great to see Beau doing what he loves! He was pitching and just happens to be a great batter. I always have to grin when I see the outfield back up when they see Beau walking up to the plate. :-) (I know I said this was my first one but I've been to plenty of his softball games). I think I may take the nice camera out next time to get some good shots - this is on the Blackberry. Isn't he CUTE?!  Brinkley and I only stayed for the first game of the double-header since he wouldn't stop bothering me about a McDonald's chocolate shake and fries...so I HAD to stop for him. High maintenance doggie....

Beau knows how to pitch AND how to get hit. He came home with 2 welts and you can see the stitching from the ball on his skin. Eeww.

25 Weeks

I am 25 weeks now and still feeling great! No real news to report - I still feel comfortable and "cute" pregnant, not huge or fat or uncomfortable pregnant. I know it's only a matter of time until this is no longer the case. The baby is moving more than ever! Not just the morning and evening times anymore. I was in a meeting in our COO's office this past week when Grayson moved so hard and so suddenly that I noticeably twitched in my chair. While some people noticed, no one really called me out on it. :) This kind of movement is happening more and more and Beau has been able to pretty much put his hand on my stomach at any point in the day and feel his little boy moving :-) It's really cool and very reassuring. 

How excited is everyone about THESE?! Grayson's first BOOTS! I am tickled about this little purchase. I don't see Beau and I buying a lot of shoes in the beginning and we are stopping here for now. But after 1 1/2 weeks of leaving them up on my laptop and not being able to stop thinking about them, they now belong to Baby Gray - the last pair and they are real leather. :-)

 

 

 

 

 

How your baby's growing

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.