Long Weekend

I LOVE long weekends. Mainly because I get to spend so much time with Chris which is my favorite thing in the world to do!

We spent Thanksgiving out at the cabin we just built on our family property, which was a lot of fun. Chris, I and my parents were there as well as my brother, my gma who was visiting from CA, and Chris' dad, stepmom and stepsister. Unfortunately his little brother wasn't there since his mom had him this Thanksgiving. I spent half the day in one of the bedrooms because my pinched nerves in my tailbone are sooooo horrible. We've decided (as a family...no one makes decisions on their own in my family, haha!) that on Monday I am going to the chiropractor against my doctor's wishes. I simply cannot deal with the pain anymore...I can barely walk and I am so miserable. I know my chiro can fix it. I've been going to him for about 6 years and he's wonderful and I trust that he wouldn't do anything that could compromise Brayden in any way.

Anyway, we took a ton of pictures for our Christmas card - this is the first year we are going to do a photocard. I am going to use Tiny Prints and if I'm happy with them, I'm going to use them for my birth annoucements too. I really like their cards. Have you or anyone you know used them before? Were you happy? Here are some pics...

I think we'll use this one for our card:

Yesterday we went to Babies R Us in Joplin and bought our stroller! I have to tell you my amazing deal on this. Chris thought I was nuts but I ordered BRU coupons from Ebay...someone sold a big pack of them for $3.00. Anyway, my $290 travel system cost me $90 after coupons, rebates and that also includes a 2 year warranty! GO ME! I was so proud of myself! I don't have a pic yet because Chris hauled it upstairs but here is a pic from BRU of our system:
Tomorrow we are headed to Oklahoma City to get Chris' new truck. I'm not overly thrilled about a 6 hour drive but I choose to go so I guess I can't complain! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Weekend Recap

First, I would like to ask for prayer...a very dear family friend of ours found a lump and is being tested to see if she might have breast cancer. I remember very clearly what it feels like to wonder how the results will come back, and it is such a scary, scary thing. The radiologist did tell them that if it is cancer they caught it early and her prognosis would be good. Please, please keep them in your prayers. I will update when I know more...

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This weekend my husbands best friend moved back into town from Dallas. He is so excited to have his buddy back! I told him that if he moved back before we have Brayden then he can officially be Uncle Jared...if he didn't then he was going to just be Jared! Ha! The first thing he said when he saw me is that he is assuming the title of Uncle!

So Saturday night he and Chris were watching the Texas Tech game (which is my OB's team...secretly I am hoping they don't go to a bowl....because then I know I will run the risk of not having him there when it's time to deliver!) when another close friend of theirs called. Apparently he and his family were at his younger brother's Sport's Banquet when his dad had a seizure. They've since found a blood clot in his heart and another one in his leg. Chris and Jared went to the hospital and stayed with the family for awhile. We don't know anything new at this point, but I am praying everything will be okay.

Yesterday I became nearly ringless.

Please ignore my lack of a manicure...I ripped off my acrylic nails that I've had for YEARS because I highly doubt I will be making it to my regular 2 week appointments with a newborn. Therefore my nails look awful.

Anyway, so I say nearly ringless because I left one of my wedding bands on - I can't bear to part with it. My engagement ring, other band, and right hand ring all had to come off. I was starting to worry that if I didn't take them off that someone would have to cut them off and that scares me! My ring fingers now have what appears to be permanent indentions on them!

I also learned that heels are now pretty much out of the question. That makes me sad. I love my heels. But I wore a pair of heeled boots to church yesterday and we ended up standing a LOT more that usual, and I thought I was going to pass out! Chris kept whispering "Do you need to sit? Are you okay?" which I thought was sweet. Either that or he could see PAIN written across my face, I'm not sure which!

The rest of yesterday was spent out at our property decorating the cabin for Christmas...which was a lot of fun! My back hurt so bad by the time I got home (I think it was around 6:30) that I climbed straight into bed and did not get out. Chris brought me everything I needed and then went back upstairs to finish watching the Dallas game with Jared (they had recorded it).

32 Weeks

Today marks week 32 of pregnancy! Woo-Hoo! Judging by Brayden's weight growth pattern, I would guestimate that he probably weighs in around 4lb and 2 or 3oz! Possibly more! Wow!

I actually had Chris take a belly pic today, so these pics are the actual 32 week pics!

I had to break down and go buy a winter coat...I thought I could just tough it out for 51 more days, but I can't! I can get into some of my old coats but they won't close and I freeze! Here is the one I got...

It's so comfy!

Today we worked on some of our Christmas shopping, and then I started to have a mini freakout session about bottles. Why, I have no idea, but it suddenly occurred to me that if I went into preterm labor we wouldn't have a sufficient supply of bottles...so we ran to Wal-Mart, where I ran into Kelly! Too funny!

Tomorrow we are going to church and then probably spending some time with my family, especially since my grandma is still in town. I hope everyone's having a great weekend!

Dr. Appt and Massage

Yesterday was my first 2 week checkup! Woo-Hoo! Everything was great and Brayden's heartbeat was 140. I asked if it was normal that it keeps dropping and he said it was, and that he is right where he should be! I'm still measuring a week ahead which is good - I guess. I don't actually know if that matters or not to be honest!

I have been having some pretty interesting pain and so I mentioned it to him and it turns out I am having "practice contractions" - not to be confused with Braxton Hicks. I didn't know there were two kinds but apparently there are! All is good; they are very irregular and not too painful.
(Edited to add: The difference between the two is that braxton hicks are like a hardening feeling and the ones that I am experiencing feel like period cramps...hope that explains it a little better!)

I just love my doctor - he has such a wonderful personality. Chris really likes him too which is great - he hated my last OB. Well, hate is a strong word but you get the idea. Anyway, at my last appt my doctor had gotten a new phone and I was showing him how to work it - and then two days later I got the same phone and this time he was offering me tips! Too funny. I don't know any other doctor like him, which explains why I want to do all I can to make sure he is the one to deliver Brayden!

Today I had a prenatal massage. Oh goodness, I should have done that weeks ago. It was so relaxing that I almost fell asleep. If you're pregnant I highly recommend it! And if you live in my area, I highly recommend getting it at Heavenly!

Cravings and Answers

In addition to the ever popular, how much weight have you gained question, I've also been asked by a lot of people what I've craved during this pregnancy.

My answer? Nothing really. Well, I did go through that little two week long stint of only wanting ham and cheese hot pockets...but that aside, nothing.

And then this came along...

Not only is it the classic Starbucks holiday cup, but if you could see inside of it, you would see Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate. Oh. My. Word. This is like...well I can even think of something it's like, it's just that good!

So I wanted to answer some questions from my previous posts today. If I missed your question, let me know! Oh and while I'm answering your questions, here's one for you! If you voted in my poll, why did you pick the date you picked? I'm just nosy!

Q. Where did you get your sweater (the one in Brayden's nursery post).
A. I got that several months ago at NY and Co at the Pinnacle Promenade. It's my step-MIL's favorite store and I took her shopping one day and couldn't resist that sweater...I love all things argyle.

Q. How are you feeling?
A. I haven't had to take a Zofran in two weeks and I feel GREAT!! My back hurts, I'm tired and I have zero room left in my stomach for food, but really, that's nothing compared to when I was throwing up every day!

Q. Where did you get the top you wore at Shower #2?
A. Craving Maternity in Fayetteville.

Q. Do you go to Parkhill?
A. Nope, but I have a lot of friends that do! My doctor is very close to my home.

Q. Did you do IVF?
A. No, we actually didn't. We did four IUI's with oral and injectable medication and when they all failed we were told that IVF would be the only way for us to get pregnant. We choose to take a break, naturally got pg the next month and miscarried the month after that. I then got pregnant (naturally) on my first cycle post miscarriage. It was a total God thing. That's the only way I can explain it.

Back From Branson

...and I'm so tired!

We were going to swing by Joplin and go buy our stroller but I was just too tired to do it! Plus some of my discounts were at home so I decided to wait. Branson was successful...we completed our Christmas shopping for Chris' dad, step-mom and brother and half of my brother and his step-sister. Woo-Hoo! I really like having things done early!

I stopped in at the Ann Taylor Loft where we were staying (Branson Landing) and got some cute PJ's...

The top:

Bottoms:

And then we went to dinner at a fun mexican restaurant that makes the guacamole tableside, as well as the desserts:

Today before we headed out we stopped at one of my favorite spots, Big Cedar Lodge for brunch. This is one of the beautiful Christmas trees they have up:

I love Christmas and can't wait to put up my decorations. We normally put them up the day after Thanksgiving. It should be interesting this year since Chris has banned me from using the ladder...ha! He will be putting up the majority of our decorations, and I probably won't bring out everything just because it's cutting it close to Brayden's scheduled arrival time...and who knows if I will even make it til' the 12th! I need to put up a poll...I'm curious to see what you all think!

Brayden's Nursery

We've come a long way with Brayden's nursery and I wanted to share a few pictures. This isn't really the color that I wanted for the room but I left it the green that we had it painted when we built the house because we'll be moving sooner than later and I didn't see the point in repainting...especially since he probably won't spend that much time in here (it's upstairs and our room are downstairs)!

Me at almost 31 weeks with the letters I made (ohmygosh I look awful in that pic!!!):
The guest bed and puppy dog art:

His crib:

My super cheap art project...it's styrofoam that Chris cut into 12*12 squares and we spray glued 12*12 scrapbooking paper to it and the hot glued brown and white polka dot ribbon around the sides.

A very special drawing that a dear friend made for our little man:

We're headed out of town in the morning so I wanted to make sure to post these pics before we leave!

Mr. Shy

Lianna had commented awhile ago that she thought Brayden was shy like me...and I think she must be right. After 45 minutes, a route 44 sweet tea, going to the bathroom, and laying in all sorts of strange positions, we still do not have a 4D pic of Brayden.

There are several good things about this though. I've gotten to see him on the ultrasound three times in three weeks, for free! I know he is healthy and growing and doing great. His weight yesterday was 3lb 4oz...so he's gained 7oz in 5 days! He's so jam packed in there that no one can believe it! He's also measuring over a week ahead.

One more little thing I've decided to share...after a long conversation with my doctor last week, we've decided to induce on Jan 12th if he isn't here by then. To be honest, the way things are going I wouldn't be one bit surprised if he showed up earlier than that. My poor baby really has run out of room. Of course I hope he will make it to the 12th but you never know what God's plans are. If we make it til' the 12th then I have 62 days left! In case you are wondering why we picked the 12th it's because that is the date that I would have the best chance of having my doctor for delivery. They would induce at 5pm and I probably wouldn't have him until the next day.

Anyway, I know a lot of people are anti-induction, but please know that this was a very personal decision and something we put a lot of thought into. =)

Back to the ultrasound...I went into it prepared to not get any pictures so I wasn't overly disappointed. I know that he will be here soon enough and then I can see him all I want! I've been really, really tired lately and can't ever seem to get comfortable. My back is killing me 90% of the time, but I can't go see my chiropractor (doctor's orders). I haven't had to take a Zofran all week which is great...I can actually get up in the mornings like a normal person! Woo-Hoo!

This weekend we are going to Branson with my gma. Chris and Dad are going hunting (pheasant...this momma doesn't allow deer hunting - it's Bambi!!!) on Friday and then meeting up with mom, gma and I at the Branson Landing. Saturday we hope to do some Christmas shopping. We've been making our lists for awhile (well, I've been making them...you know how OCD I am about my Excel spreadsheets) and I feel prepared now.

Last but not least, I posted a few days ago about my best friend having her baby. Please keep her in your prayers...they had to hospitalize her for an infection and I think she will be released today but you never know. I know it must be so hard on her because all she probably wants to do is be at home with her newborn and her little girl (oh and her husband too!). Thanks!

Saturday's Baby Shower

Saturday was my second baby shower! I'm going to apologize in advance for the lack of pictures...I'll have to see if I can get some more from my mom. It was the most beautiful shower I've ever been too!

Here is me with my cake...

And opening some gifts...
A special gift from my mom...

She got me a Mom locket from Tiffany's as well as a silver spoon (and she got the Grandma locket). I was so surprised, the last thing I expected to see at my baby shower was a little blue box!

We seriously had the best food ever. A friend of ours is a caterer and she did all of the food for the shower...we had my favorite chicken salad, porchuitto and melon, fresh made hummus, brushetta and tapenade, spinach and artichoke dip, fresh fruit, and a lot more that I can't remember because I couldn't fit it on my plate!


In addition to a lot of wonderful gifts, I got a lot of great tips from a friend that has two little girls. There is just so much I don't know - we don't have any babies in our family and I feel clueless on some of the things that are probably super basic.


I managed to get all my thank you's written yesterday (which is why I wasn't on here) and that really relieved some stress!

Sunday we went to take a tour of L and D at my hospital which is conveniently located about 5 minutes from my house! Their labor suites are ENORMOUS! I thought the ones at Willow Creek were huge! My goodness, I don't know what I need that much room for! They also have a kitchen stocked full of goodies for mommy after you deliver. And of course they allow you to bring things in which is nice...because I just want a turkey sandwich from Panera! Do you know how long it's been since I've had a deli meat?!

I should have some nursery pictures soon...we made a ton of progress. I also did some art projects that I want to share!

Today is our final attempt at the 4D ultrasound...it's at 2pm. I really hope we get a good picture but if we don't I know I will be seeing him live and in person soon! Oh gosh, that's kind of scary to say! I feel so unprepared!

A Sneak Peak and a New Addition

My best friend Amy just had her little boy Landon! Isn't he precious? He is sooo tiny - I was holding him and I think think I could have held him all day, he was so light! He made the cutest little noises while I was there. He is such a good baby already! Congrats Amy and Trenton (and Natalie too!)!!

Long story short, I asked my mom if anyone would care if I designed the cake for my shower tomorrow. It's my "make up cake" as I like to say. I love Rick's Bakery but when I got married the designer who I had met with left right before my wedding, so instead of my beautiful fleur de lis cake that I'd draw out, I got corn husks. And we are not from Nebraska. I wasn't too happy, and it's something that has always bothered me, because I had sketched out exactly what I wanted.

So this is my make up cake...to replace my sad feelings over the loss of my beautiful fleur de lis...haha.

The top of the cake is three layers tall and the bottom is two layers tall...I like the modern look. It also features Brayden's monogram on the side...

And this cute carriage on the top:
And best of all, it's in his colors! So that's my sneak peak for my shower tomorrow!!

Third Times A Charm?

Today was attempt #2 at the 4D ultrasound...and once again, no luck. We did find out that since my u/s last week, Brayden has gained 10 ounces! Can you believe that? For those keeping track, Brayden now weighs in at 2lb 13oz. He's also head down now. Also, when they measured my stomach I was measuring at 31 weeks. We are going to give the ultrasound one more attempt on Monday...please pray we can get at least one good picture of him! Also, we made some very important decisions with my doctor today about the birth and it's not something I want to share yet, but I'm very excited!

I was so sad that when we went to lunch I actually cried! Pathetic, I know....and really, I'm just so glad he is healthy and doing well and that is all that matters. But for some reason, I keep getting my hopes up about this picture and I feel like I'm letting everyone down when I come home empty handed. I've never heard of anyone else having this problem and I feel like it's my fault.

OK, enough of my pity party. For those who've registered or been shopping at Babies R Us I wanted to share a little nugget of information with you that I learned yesterday. Ever since BRU deleted my registry, I've been checking it everyday just to make sure it's there. Well, yesterday while I waited for it to load (btw, is that not the slowest site ever?!) I saw an advertisement for their Rewards Club. It's free to join and you can earn Reward Bucks and special coupons. I was bummed out because we've already made several purchases there and then I noticed that you put in for Retro Credit requests. It let me use about $700 worth of receipts! You get $5 reward bucks for every $150 you spend (not a lot, but still...). I thought I'd share this with you all because when I registered no one mentioned it to me.

In other news, a huge congrats to my best friend Amy on the birth of her son today! Landon was born around 10am and weighs 5lbs 6oz. I'm going to go see them tomorrow and hopefully I will remember my camera! Please keep Amy in your prayers as they are keeping her until Friday so they can try and get her blood pressure under control. My mom had the same problem with my brother and I and I know how hard that must be!

Shower #2 is this weekend and you know me, I'm so nervous about it. My grandmother is coming in tomorrow from back home (Northern California) for the shower and is staying through Thanksgiving. I really wish I had family here. It's just the four of us...my parents and brother and I...and sometimes I really miss having family around. My cousin is also due in January and it would be so nice to go through this with her.

Well, that's it for now. Sorry I don't have any pics to share. =(

Edited to Add:
Please go check out Lianna's blog for a GREAT giveaway! Also, be sure sure to check out her Etsy Shop - the link is in my Favorite Sites List.

Edited again: If you watch 17 and Counting (the Duggars show), you saw my Dr's office and my wonderful ultrasound tech Teena!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I posted about my favorite fall muffins awhile ago and had a lot of requests for the recipe. I wanted to wait until I had made them so that I could show you pictures too!

The Recipe:

ChocoPumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 can (15 oz.)pumpkin (pure pumpkin)
½ cup Crisco
1 cup milk
2 large eggs, beaten

Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl. Cut in Crisco until mixture is fine. Add pumpkin, milk and eggs, mix until combined; do not overmix.
Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake in preheated 400ºF oven for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.

Last Game before Brayden

Yesterday Chris and I took some of his family to the Arkansas vs Tulsa game. I originally wasn't going to go but Chris convinced me by bribing me with the fact that there is a shuttle that leaves from right next to our spot in the Gardens Parking.

It also doesn't hurt that we sit inside. Arkansas weather can be a shock to a California girls system, so being somewhere that's climate controlled is always a positive for me - even though I know Chris would much rather be outside. It also makes me more comfortable taking Brayden next year...I don't want my baby to get sick!

The view out our window:

Nice padded seats and a view of my 29 week bump:

The game turned out to be WAY more interesting than I had imagined. By interesting I mean we weren't blown out! We actually won! How'd that happen? Just kidding.

The only downside to the whole thing was that the when we left we had to take Chris' dad, uncle, cousin and brother back to their car at the 6th Street Wal-Mart, and traffic was horrendous! Chris thought there might be a way around it so we drove for 40 minutes only to realize that we had the wrong road, and then had to turn around and sit in the line we thought we were avoiding. We were in our car and driving before 5pm and didn't make it home until 7:30pm! Not fun! I was so exhausted I almost fell asleep in the car!

Last but not least, I am going in next week for take two of my 4D ultrasound. During attempt #1, Teena (the world's sweetest ultrasound technician) was able to snap this photo of my little man. That's a leg and an arm to the left of his head! He must have gotten that flexibility from me! I can TOTALLY tell from this picture that he looks exactly like Chris looked as a baby. It's uncanny. There must be some strong genes in that family because Chris, his dad and his brother all looked exactly the same. Anyway, I'll be sure to post my 4D pics once I get them!