My BFF is Having a Baby!

Today I had the hankering to fire up the ol' blog and write out a few thoughts on my best friend having a baby tomorrow. Because I've been missing from this space for a while, I had the hardest time coming up with a post title. With the picture posted below, I don't want anyone to misunderstand: my FRIEND is having a baby. Not me.

(That's another topic, another day. Ha!)

I'm sitting here tonight having all the feels about my best friend having her first baby, a boy, tomorrow. I would consider him to be the closest I've come to a nephew, so I'm terribly excited! I'm remembering the first time Jack was placed in my arms--I had no clue what I was supposed to do. All of a sudden, every bit of medical staff had cleared the room. It was just him and me (Mr. G was going to get our parents) and all I could think was, "Do these nurses not know I do not have a clue what to do here? What are they thinking leaving me alone with a minutes old baby!?"

Of course, there is no truer welcome to motherhood. It's fast and furious and half the time you're making it up because you don't know what to do, all the while praying to God that He will give you the wisdom and the strength to make it. And that He will fix it for His glory when you mess up. I'm so thankful for God's grace each day.


Baby Luke's shower cake made locally by Leah's Sweet Treats
No words can prepare you for holding your heart in your arms. There is no crazier revelation than in an instant realizing every cliche about having children is true. It's such a rush, a sweet new type of honeymoon, and the most beautiful feeling in the world.

Congratulations, my friend, and welcome sweet baby Luke!

Random Naptime Updates!

My kids are down for a nap, my house is clean, and currently, I'm having a new air conditioning installed. It's a little sad to need a new air conditioner right here at time for the weather to cool off, but it must be done, and besides, we're likely to still need AC during the day for several more weeks around these parts.

I would take the opportunity to decorate for fall, but seeing as I don't want to interrupt the action in the attic, I thought I'd update the blog!

Sunday, the three of us were dressed in Aggie maroon. It just happened. Mr. G dressed Jack, I dressed myself, and when I went to pick out Annabelle's clothes, I felt like it was too early for pumpkins, and she had worn pink like 3 weeks in a row, so I grabbed the Aggie dress. We bleed maroon around here, so it was bound to happen. I'm surprised we weren't all 4 matching!


Ahh, taking pictures with young children.
I have a post going live on Fort Worth Moms blog later this week regarding routines for babies and how that resulted in a solid nighttime sleep schedule for our kids early on. And of course, as soon as I turned in that blog post, Annabelle decided to become a night owl. Isn't that how it always happens? Anyway, after a rough few nights on my girl and me, I think we've figured out the source of the waking.

We're late for her 6 month check up--it's tomorrow and she'll be 7 months this weekend--and I'm dreading the immunizations. After her 4 month shots, she ran fever, and a little higher than I would've expected, at that. So I'm praying that the Lord will keep my sweet girl happy and feeling well. There is no more powerless feeling than watching someone else be sick, especially your child.

I've been watching the stats on my blog lately, and surprisingly, my most viewed post is the review of the UppaBaby Vista. It's a great stroller and is holding up really well with my second baby. I'm really putting it through its paces now, simply because I'm home with my children, and we go somewhere nearly every day where I pull it out. I plan to update soon with my thoughts on the Vista Rumble seat.

Yesterday I ordered two Christmas gifts. I think this is the earliest I've ever started Christmas shopping, but, why not? At least I haven't started playing Christmas music, right?

A Creative, Heirloom Gift for Annabelle

I've been meaning to post about this very special gift for Annabelle for a while. I'm blessed to have some of the best friends a girl could ask for. God has been abundantly gracious in that area of my life. I have friends that are like sisters, which is wonderful since I don't have any of my own!

A couple of months ago I was the matron of honor in my best friend's wedding. She was the maid of honor in my wedding, and the first person I told outside of our families when I found out I was pregnant with my babies. She is one of the most kind and generous people you'll ever meet.

On my wedding day!
(Picture of a picture, which is why it's a little crooked. Our pics were done on film.)
She called me a couple of months before Annabelle was born to confirm that I was doing her bedroom in pale pink and grey, and I honestly didn't think anything of it. I figured she was ordering something special, but I had no idea that what she was planning would knock my socks off.

The day after my sweet cheeks was born, she came to visit us in the hospital. With her, she brought us a gift: this precious pillow on the right, made out of her bridesmaid dress from my wedding!

It matches Annabelle's room perfectly. Do I have a color palette, or do I have a color palette?

More details on her room here.
You cannot imagine how in love I am with this sweet heirloom. On the back, Annabelle's name is monogrammed on grey fabric, and the rest of the pillow and ruffle trim is made from the dress. I'll have to put it up someday to keep it for her, but until that day comes, it's on her bed as a wonderful reminder of my sweet friend and the sister she is to me.

38 Weeks

Taken by Hailey Erickson Photography back at the beginning of December.
I am pleased to announce that we have made it to 38 weeks! I had a bit of a discouraging check-up this week, but I came home, made myself some mac and cheese, opened some packages that had been delivered that day, and delivered myself a dose of perspective. I'm about to have a baby!

We're both very healthy. My ankles are swelling, without fail, daily, but my blood pressure looks good. With Jack, the second day the swelling didn't subside overnight, I went into labor with him. So rest assured, that is the first thing I check every day.

(I have no idea if there really is any correlation there or not, but I'm 38 weeks pregnant and will grasp at anything that might indicate imminent labor, so there is no need to burst my bubble with proven science!)

As I posted earlier in the week, Annabelle's room is complete, including her back ordered sheets. My new baby bag has arrived, and even a last minute newborn hat I ordered from Etsy came in. We celebrated Valentine's Day as a family of 3 at Joe T. Garcia's. I'm thinking about Easter clothes already. If it weren't in the 30s, I'd probably be out handwashing my car just to keep myself busy.

It's D-Now weekend here, so we're running around helping with that. Today I made a pie, a batch of cookies, and a breakfast casserole to give myself something to do. I'm having some contractions, but nothing regular, and quite a bit of it is back labor. I keep waiting for the very predictable waves of normal front contractions (like I had with Jack) to begin, but if I have learned anything from this pregnancy, it's that no pregnancy is the same!

We'll see how this next week goes!

Waiting on a Little Lady

I'm so excited to be finished with Annabelle's room! I've joked with my husband that if we didn't share, this is what my bedroom would look like. I love that it is full of sweetness and things that I love. Nearly everything in it is something I've wanted for a long time.

I haven't included all my sources because that would've taken forever, but if you have questions about something, please feel free to drop me an email. I'll respond!

Her big girl bed!
I don't do changing tables, so this will be used for both that purpose (with a blanket for insurance) as well as late night crashes when we need to camp out in there. I've been dying for that headboard for several years now, and I love how it works in here. It's a dark grey linen that I think it'll stand up to dirty kid hands. Sharpies? Not so much. But it's worth the risk.

I love, love, love the pintucked duvet. It reminds me of the skirt on my wedding dress.

Such a sweet pillow for a sweet girl!
The pillow was made by Anna at For the Love of Joy who, it turns out, is practically my neighbor. Her production time ran about 2 months, but that included the holidays, and it was worth the wait. She personalized it with my absolute favorite Scripture. I love the image of the Father being with us, taking great delight in us, and rejoicing over us with singing as it says in Zephaniah 3:17. I trust Him with my sweet Annabelle and wanted to include this in her room in some way, and the pillow was just perfect.

She also made a boppy cover to match that you can see in the pic above.

Another look at my Annabelle's headboard.
When I started picturing this room, I knew I would want some antique gilded floral plates over the headboard. My mom started searching for them for me at the antique stores in my hometown. I love that they are all from there. It's a special touch from where I grew up.

Those grey trellis sheets came in today, and I wasted no time getting them laundered and on the bed.

This Kate Spade ad is just a little bit of pink happiness. I'm framing it in a gold frame, and it will go on the nightstand.
The dresser and nightstand are from Pier 1. I have loved that dresser since I first laid eyes on it. I've been trying to find a place to put it in my house for years. Hooray for Annabelle!

The banner was a gift from my baby shower. The dolls on the dresser are pretty fun. One of them is Little Red Riding Hood and was mine as a little girl. Another is a doll that I made with my grandmother for a project for Texas history in 7th grade. I will never forget sewing it with her the week I was home with the chicken pox. ("We" made a 110 on the project, by the way.) It is very, very special to me.

The last doll is a stuffed rabbit that Mr. G, Jack, and I made especially for our girl at Build-a-Bear. We went on a family date a few Saturdays ago to have a fun day together. Brad and I did something similar for Jack on one last date night before he was born.

Here's the view from the other side of the room. You can see where her crib tucks into a little nook. It didn't photograph well, but the vine monogram is painted gold.

A peek inside her crib.
She has a sweet little Beaufort Bonnet Company pink bow swaddle waiting on her! This was a gift from my parents.

Her super soft quilt.
As Jack says, "Aaa-belle's banket."

We are so excited to meet our girl! Her room was painted with love by her daddy, and Jack and I have spent hours in there organizing, reading (her) books, talking about her, and for me, praying for her. All that is left is for her to make her grand appearance.

We're ready for you, Annabelle!

37 Weeks

We made it to 37 weeks!

Lots of things can happen at 37 weeks!

Babies can be born at 37 weeks!

Here's a look at the notables this week:

1. Without going into the details, I had a rough week, pregnancy-wise. My doc took one look at me last Thursday and said, "You're done." I said, "AGREED." She said, "Go finish up your friend's wedding shower this weekend, and we'll talk next week." I go in Wednesday to see what is going on with Annabelle and consider making some plans.

{Overall, both mine and Annabelle's health is fine. Diagnosis: very pregnant.}

2. I helped throw the aforementioned wedding shower Saturday at my house with ladies from our church for my sweet BFF/college roommate. (See belly binding post.) We had over 30 people there. The shower was so fun, she got a lot of great things, and she looked so beautiful! My house is spotless and ready for my child to come, thanks to getting it ready for that event.

See? Gorgeous!
3. We finished up Annabelle's room about 20 minutes before people arrived Saturday morning, thanks to some help from my mom and dad. It's lacking the blessed sheets for her big girl bed, which have been backordered from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child since the end of November. It's making me itchy, but there are bigger problems in the world. I'm living with cream colored sheets for now until the grey percale European trellis ones come in. They're probably nicer than what is on my own bed, and she will never even notice them. I should just cancel the order.

{But we all know that isn't going to happen.}

Sneak peek from Instagram. As soon as I have some good light, I'll grab some with my real camera.
4. I've been having contractions. A couple of times they've gone on long enough that I pulled out my phone and started timing them, but after about an hour they taper off. Back labor.

{That means progress, hopefully?}

5. I pack my bag after I get ready every morning. It's kind of wishful thinking, but it makes me happy and much less stressed out that I won't have to call Mr. G if I go into labor and ask him to pack some of my last minute items. I would put it in my car, but it's too heavy. The one thing I've asked him to remind me to pick up is my Sonicare (I forgot it last time and the cheap-o, manual toothbrush they had at the hospital did not spur me on to love and good deeds.) The most random item in my bag is a package of celebratory malted milk balls.

{Do the Gentrys know how to party or what?}

6. The ankles are the last to go. Last night Mr. G said, "Wow, your ankles really haven't swelled like they did with Jack's." Such the flatterer, that Mr. Gentry.

Seriously? One minute later they inflated like balloons.

{See item #1: we are done.}

36 Weeks

I'd love to say that things are starting to progress around here, but they're not! This sweet little lady is doing just fine where she is. Mama, however, has a little bit of elevated blood pressure and some swollen ankles that my doc is keeping a close watch over.

{Side Note: This makes me very thankful for friends who shared their access to Downton Abbey Season 3 last fall while it was airing in the UK so that I'm not watching it on PBS now. Like I needed to see that episode at 36 weeks pregnant!}

This means I'll be resting over the weekend, as much as is possible with a toddler in the house, and Monday I go back in for a BP check and labs. Little sis was an estimated 6.5 lbs at our appointment, so she's on track to be in the 8's like her brother if we go the distance.

I feel fine other than, you know, being 36 weeks tired and large so that's a huge blessing. I told the doc that Annabelle can come {if necessary} any time after noon on February 9. Have I mentioned I'm hosting a wedding shower at my house that morning for my sweet friend? It's going to be beautiful and fun, and I can't wait to post some pics here!

February 9th has been my goal date for a million and one things in my house--namely new floors and finishing Annabelle's room--and I'm right on track to finish it all on schedule. I really love it so far. The few finishing items should be here by next Friday, just in time.

Exciting times ahead!

35 Weeks

Well, we made it to 35 weeks! I went back to my Jack files, and it seems like I got the same inkling to start packing the baby's bag during that week too. Annabelle's is completely packed. Like, pick it up and go straight to the hospital packed. Her coming home outfit is sweetly and carefully tucked in, with her shoes and ruffled socks. And some hair accessories, of course.

This week I also worked on my house a bit and may have overdone it putting it all back together after the floor installation. I've been paying the price all week. But I love the floors! My admin also started my maternity leave paperwork, and I've begun turning some things over just in case we have an early bird baby lady. Crazy!

We still have a few things to do to complete her room. I ordered one of those beautiful vine monograms that will need to be painted and hung once it arrives, and I need to find a mirror for over her dresser and a basket or some kind of cute container to keep her diapers, wipes, and other various items at the ready. I have high (probably too high) hopes that most of this will be completed this weekend.

Next week is my first weekly visit with my doctor which means I'll likely know if we've made any progress, if I'm remembering the last go-round correctly. My comfort level is at an all-time low, so I know we're getting close.

But I'm just weeks from seeing my sweet girl for the first time!

34 Weeks

I don't have too many updates this week. Annabelle's room is still a work in progress, but it's a super fun work in progress!

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I saw my doc's newest associate in case she's the on-call when I go into labor. We measured right on track, and Annabelle's heartbeat was 140. She gave me the impression that I will have a baby before 40 weeks, which means we're 5 weeks or less away.

{I'll just be over here trying not to get my hopes up.}

I am trying to ignore that my left foot looks like it is swollen right now (barely, and at the end of an evening of shopping.) I mean, the only part of my body that is slim right now are my ankles, so I would prefer they stay that way as long as possible. But as I remember from Jack's pregnancy, the ankles are the last to go, which means we're getting closer. Excitement.

I'm also pretending that my house isn't in total uproar right now. We're having new floors installed which means that the living room is in my kitchen, the study is partially in our room and Annabelle's, and the entry is in the garage. We are on a crazy train. But how much crazier would it be if I had a toddler and a newborn while it was going on? It will all be put back together by Friday night.

Her baby book came in! I had decided I wanted something that wouldn't show dirt, and by the end of my appointment I had picked out off-white with pink polka dots. It was just too sweet and adorable, and I couldn't help myself. So I also had them add a plastic cover for it, so here's hoping.

Anyway, I love it and of course have it completely filled out up to the "Day You Were Born" page already. Yay!

Mr. G laughs because he likes to ask how well I've kept up with Jack's book. I have a stack of things that need to be added to it, but I'll get there. Do you keep up with a baby book for your kids? Or have intentions to?

33 Weeks

The weeks are flying by now, it seems.

I feel like we are more prepared for this kiddo at this time than when we were expecting Jack. I know it's because we already have the gear, we know how to install a car seat, we don't have scheduled classes to learn how to bathe a baby, and we've even lived through that "oh my gosh the contractions are 5 minutes apart grab the bag let's go" moment (and the remaining 17 hrs of labor after that moment.) So I think we're a little more calm than we were two years ago.

I've been going through clothes that my friends have brought to me, laundering them, pressing sweet little smocked dresses, and organizing her room. I was so excited to find that her headboard was delivered today, and tomorrow her dresser is coming. (It's a week late, but still!)

Just a few of my bag contents.
I have a pile going in a corner of our bedroom of things to pack in my bag. It occurred to me earlier in the week that I not only have Annabelle's and my things to pack -- I'll also have to pack a bag for Jack. That's one more thing to think through, but of course it will all get done.

I haven't mentioned many pregnancy woes on here because I know ladies who have had much worse symptoms than me, but let me tell you that I have heartburn that is like the fire of a thousand suns. It wasn't quite this bad with Jack. I can actually set my watch by when the medicine wears off. I'll be curious to see if she has a lot of hair based on that wives' tale.

Praise be to the Almighty God, the Creator of those who created heartburn medicine.

Amen and amen.

Mama Monday: Baby-Wearing

Moms, I need your advice.

I had a friend ask me if there was any baby gear I didn't have that I might need for Annabelle. The one thing I can think of that would be super useful is maybe a Baby Bjorn, sling, or some other baby wearing device that would keep me hands free whilst chasing a handsome, yet rambunctious, gentleman of two years.

{Note: I did not baby-wear my boy. I held him, nearly non-stop, for 3 months while I was on maternity leave. Because he was mine and I could. He was/is not spoiled. He self-soothes great. We are both none the worse for it.}

I feel like a sling has its great moments, and a Baby Bjorn or Ergo has its time as well, once the little lady can hold her head up. And Moby? I don't know that I can even go there. Too complicated for me.

Do I need BOTH?

Also, if sling = yes, then is Baby Bjorn > Ergo?

Do tell.

Thanks!

32 Weeks

It has been a wonderful and relaxing week. Vacation does that, if you'll let it.

For the first time in a very, very long time, I sat around and watched TV for two days straight. It was just what I needed: a good break before going into these last, most tiring days of pregnancy.

While I sat around, Mr. G did not. I finally found that perfect silvery grey I was talking about. It's Silverpointe by Sherwin Williams, and we now have a room covered beautifully in it. Her bed is assembled, and her bedding is on. (I at least did that part.) I've ordered the headboard for the queen bed that will one day be her big girl bed, and her dresser should be here by Friday. I was getting all itchy about not having a place to put away her folded clothes, but that feeling is starting to wane, knowing a delivery date for the dresser.

Wednesday I finally made it by to order her baby book with rush delivery. Both our wedding book and Jack's baby book were made by Jan Sevadjian Designs, and I honestly couldn't imagine not having Annabelle's by them. It usually takes a month or so to process, so I paid up to have it here since I need/want it by the 19th. (Available for order through Paper Affair on Lovers Lane in Dallas, one of my favorite places.)

All that is left is some wall art, frames, and recovering a chair I bought 5 years ago that I've been holding on to for just the right spot in my house, and her room will mostly be done. Then I'll move on to Drefting her pajamas and blankets! I've really crossed a lot of things off off my to-do list this week, thanks to my super husband.

I've started thinking about packing my bag this week too. I have quite a few irons in the fire between now and Annabelle's birthday, so I want to have my L&D and post-partum needs covered a little along the way. Surrounding myself with things like my favorite bath and hair products, and cute and comfy loungewear goes a long way in ministering to me. It deludes me into thinking I'll be a little put together, despite the fact that I will probably be swollen up like a watermelon, post-partum.

This afternoon I had a doctor appointment, and she confirmed what I've been telling people who ask how I'm doing: "I'm great--just getting bigger by the minute." Annabelle is head down already and quickly running out of space. She kicked and kicked against the doc as she felt around to check her position. We both appear healthy, and our next visit is a short two weeks away!

Week 29

Two weeks in a row of pregnancy updates!

Great news: I passed the glucose tolerance test! Not as great news: my iron level was low enough to be called anemic, so I'm taking two iron pills a day. And those iron pills can't be taken at the same time, nor can either of them be taken with my prenatal, and my Zantac inhibits the absorption of iron, which means I am basically like a geriatric patient with all the pills I'm taking for my different issues, spaced at different times of the day. (I'm also taking other meds to combat the after-effects of the iron pills, the details of which shall remain unspoken on this little piece of the web. Motherhood is incredibly glamorous.)

Anyway, I am extremely thankful that my issues are minor in the grand scale of the miracle that is pregnancy.

This week I ordered the bedding for Annabelle's big girl bed , and of course it's back-ordered but should be in here sometime in January. I also managed to purchase her some newborn hair accessories from Etsy because I simply could not help myself. I'm looking for a great bow holder, and apparently now I'll need a headband storage solution.

We had a wonderful time at my Southwest Christmas party Saturday evening. I wore the heels, and by the end of the night, my feet were a little swollen. I wasn't expecting that, but it was worth it. The party was at Union Station, which is a restored train station in downtown Dallas right next to Reunion Tower. It was a beautiful venue, and Wolfgang Puck Catering provided the food. YUM. My very wonderful (and engaged!) friend Alisia played with our sweet Jack while we were gone. Such a good friend!

This weekend is our last Christmas party of the season - with our high school seniors at church. I have high hopes of finishing my Christmas shopping and purchasing some wrapping paper. My hopes may be a little too high. We'll see!

Week 28

As I sat down to write this post, I had to take a glance back at my Week 28 post for Jack to see how I was feeling then. It appears that the same feelings kicked in about the same time. The realization that my baby could be here in potentially 10 weeks (he was born in the 39th week) has brought a real and immediate need to nest to the forefront of my mind. It's all I can think about: prepare house for baby.

I actually already have Annabelle's bedding unboxed (so I can go in and occasionally look at it when I am stressed) and in her room. I chose to purchase it over making it because, seriously, my life is a circus right now. Her bed is in there too, still in its huge box, and waiting for her daddy to paint the room over the Christmas holidays. It's currently a lovely shade of yellow, and I have very fond memories of us painting it back in 2008. What will be going on the walls is a beautiful silvery grey that I have yet to pick out, but I am positive that it exists and will look lovely with Annabelle's petal pink bedding.

{I've gotten a lot of questions about this - my parents gifted us with a second crib for Annabelle. Jack isn't climbing out of his yet, and I am not about to mess with a good thing when we're about to go through such a big (exciting!) transition of adding a shishy. But there's a big kid bed in his room when he's ready for it.}

I've started ordering a few accoutrements for her walls, and one of my sweet college friends passed off huge load of baby girl clothes to be split with one of our other friends who is due two weeks before me. We went through those last weekend, and now Annabelle has clothes all over her room in all sizes. I need someone to 1. organize all of it for me and 2. order her dresser, have it delivered, and put them away. Any takers?

But hey, I got our Christmas pictures made and cards ordered in a 7 day window, so I'm getting a few things done. I might even get them out before Christmas.

This morning I had the glucose tolerance test at my monthly appointment. I don't go back for another month, which will be right after Christmas, then visits will be every 2 weeks. Annabelle is measuring 29 weeks and had a heart rate of 140. She sounded great and kicked at the doppler the entire time we listened to her heart. My sweet, feisty girl. I love her so much.

Our little girl looks good and feels strong, and we are well on our way to seeing her sweet face here in the third trimester!

And the newest Gentry is...

a sweet little healthy Miss Gentry! Her name is...

Annabelle Katherine
And so far her wardrobe looks a little like this:


There's some Feltman Brothers, Kissy Kissy, Zutano, Janie and Jack, pink bows in different sizes, some with clips, some with headbands, a little bit of Aggie, and an adorable pair of lace trimmed socks to top it off. I'm going to need to clear some space in Annabelle's closet that has heretofore been my annex. And soon.

Without question, we are excited about our littlest blessing and can't wait to see her sweet face. We are praising God for her (and my) good health. The sonographer noted that she posed for every picture that was taken of her.

Oh my!

Celebrating Milestones

Last night I cooked one of Mr. G's favorite meals (nothing gourmet--just chicken spaghetti) and served it in my special casserole dish. It's a red heart-shaped Le Creuset dish that was given to us as a wedding gift lo, these seven years ago.

The reason for the celebration is that today we will hopefully find out whether Jack will have a brother or sister. My prayer is for a healthy baby. I understand now more than I ever could two years ago that--boy or girl--this child will bring immeasurable joy into our lives. I can't wait for a peek at that sweet face.

Updates on My Sweet Second Baby

I'm now almost in my 19th week, and time has just flown by. Between keeping up with our toddler and work (which is very busy), I've barely had time to sit down at my home computer and update anything, which is why this place is turning into mostly weekend updates. It will get better!

I've been feeling my sweet baby kick since week 16. But these are not so much tiny bubble sensations this time around as they are rolling-fish-swimming-all-around-my belly that I don't remember with Jack until later on. This child is making its presence known.

I had an appointment last Wednesday with my doc and set a date of next Wednesday, October 3rd for our big sono to check this sweet child's development as well as hopefully learn his/her gender. I honestly can't believe we're already to this point!

We have a girl name picked out but have yet to decide on a boy name. I am determined that we shall agree by next Wednesday because there is monogramming to be done!

So here's what I've really been up to.

We're expecting a new baby on March 1st!
As you can imagine, we are overjoyed that our family is growing!

I'm 13 weeks along, and just turned a major corner (I hope!) from the nausea, fatigue, and otherwise general listlessness of the first trimester. We've seen several pics of our little one, and he or she sounds strong and is growing right on track, praise the Lord. We'll find out in a little over a month if it is a Miss or Master Gentry kicking Mama's rear in there.

This pregnancy so far has been completely different than Jack's. With him, I was just tired and ate a lot of pizza and hamburgers in the first tri. This time, all I want is chicken. Chicken tacos, fried chicken sandwiches (here's lookin' at you, Chick fi a), and honestly, for about 6 weeks, the thought of diet coke made me immediately ill. After taking 2 sick days in a row, I called the doctor, and she prescribed me some very interesting relief, but that is a post for another day. (It wasn't Zofran.)

Anyway, today is my birthday, and I just had to get on here and share the news that I am so very grateful for. I'm having a wonderful day so far, starting with a dental appointment (oh yes, I really do know how to party, don't I?) followed by a great lunch with my sweet boy.

Now that I'm feeling better, I really do hope to be back on more often!

Are the sweetest days really yet to come?

I heard from many parents (both moms and dads) when Jack was born who told me that each stage of his life would better than the one before. I didn't comprehend that at the time, because how does it get better than my downy-cheeked little sweet snuggly boy? Enter the boy that acts like a parrot and has his own little sense of humor.

He'll be 16 months in 5 days, and while I haven't been the best at documenting his life on a month by month basis here, I felt compelled to write down some of the sweetness today. Mostly, it's his speech that is just slaying me.

Last week he started saying ah-men at the end of our prayers. I mean, I thought I was going to buy him a pony right there on the spot because it was so adorable. Every day there is something new: bunny, dog, "oh Jack", "I don't know" (tossed up hands and shrugged shoulders included), overly dramatic "oh nooo!". The list just goes on.

He's got a lot of rhythm. I can't keep him away from the piano, and he sings while he's banging. I need some video, but about the time I have the camera rolling, he notices I'm there and stops. Clearly, I need to work on my mom power of stealth. We can't figure out where he has seen someone play and sing at the same time. At church they use a cd, so it's not there. (You know what that means: musical genius.)

These are such sweet, blessed times. I hope I never forget them.

Day 2 and Parents Gone Wild

OK, so maybe we didn't go all that wild, but we did go see a movie tonight. On a school night of all nights!

We saw What to Expect When You're Expecting, and while I won't say it's the best movie ever, we found it fairly entertaining. It was mostly about pregnancy and less about parenting and brought back some funny memories for me of that nine plus months and labor and delivery.

One of the things I was waxing nostalgic about was our drive to the hospital while I was in labor. It was around midnight, with few cars on the road, and Mr. G was doing everything he could to keep my mind off of my contractions which were less than 5 minutes apart. Radio, conversation, anything he could think of. He was trying so hard, bless his heart. Finally I said (oh so very sweetly, no doubt), "Can we just be quiet? No noise or talking?"

If you've been there breathing through contractions, you know how it is trying to focus and get in the zone. Anything to deal. We still laugh about that drive.

Us, pre-baby, back who knows when.