Christmas Happenings in Five Pictures or Less

We have had a busy little month with not only getting ready for Christmas but preparing for little sister as well. However, I feel as though it has been a much calmer Christmas than seasons past and for that I am so, so thankful! And for the record, there are only two more weeks until that little girl's due date. I'm not so sure her 38 weeks post will make it up this weekend, but it looks like we will probably have a New Year's baby and not a Christmas baby.

Here's a few snapshots of what we have been up to. I hope your eyes are not too traumatized by the unedited pictures.

Our gingerbread person went from being Francis to Francois.

Snuggle time and cartoons on the couch while trying to get over a cold.

Working on our advent ornaments. We have talked about all of the animals that were at the stable to see baby Jesus. Apparently that includes triceratops.

37 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 37 Weeks

D and I had a much needed date night to Taste of Texas and then a drive through River Oaks to look at the most amazing Christmas lights. We pulled out the trusty ol' tripod for a few photos beforehand.

Size of Baby: About 18.9 inches - the size of a watermelon and weighs around 6.14 pounds. She's full term!

Maternity Clothes: I just keep trying to mix it up, but still pretty much all maternity unless I wear a really long shirt.

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Movement: Instead of feeling strong movements, I'm feeling waves of movement. And her hiccups are much stronger.

Sleep: Not so good right now.

What I miss: Normal sized feet.

Cravings: Nothing in particular.

Best Moment of the Week: Our bags are packed - all four of ours! The house is almost in order and there are only four things on my to list pertaining to getting ready for baby girl with only two of those things I need to get done for today. I'm hoping to spend the next few days enjoying time with my little boy and soaking up some Christmas fun. And, at my last appointment I was already dilated to 1.5 centimeters, although I know I could stay that way for some time. I'm just hoping baby girl decides to come before Christmas or holds off until New Years since my doctor will be out of town for a few days.

Baby Shower

Our church small group blessed us this past Sunday with a baby shower. I don't have any pictures because it was a surprise, but it was certainly sweet. We have only been with the group since August and they have completely made us feel welcome. We are going to miss not seeing them over the Christmas holidays but hopefully will run into them at church (unless Little Miss would like to make her debut any time now).

And in thinking about this past Sunday's baby shower I remembered that I never posted pictures from the shower my dear family held for us a few weeks ago.


My mom, mother-in-law and aunt spared no detail in making it special. What made it even sweeter was that it was held in the same darling tea room that nearly ten years ago we had my bridal luncheon surrounded by some of the same family and friends.


I don't think I have ever seen so much pink in one place, or heard as much oohing and awing. We were truly blessed by the outpouring of love. Enjoy some of the pictures from that day. We were camera swapping a lot, so I only have a sampling of the ones on my camera.

Four generations if you include baby girl

My mother-in-law and I. She is so excited to have the first girl in the family of boys.

Eve the little girls enjoyed tea and brunch.

My dad made sure his granddaughter was going to have her very own pink fishing pole.

36 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 36 Weeks

I finally took a picture and man, have I grown in the last few weeks.

Size of Baby: About 18.75 inches - the size of a crenshaw melon and weighs around 5.75 pounds. At the ultrasound we had yesterday, they told us baby girl is actually estimated to weigh 6 pounds, nine ounces already. I'm a little nervous that since Gavin was an eight pound baby (at ten days early) this one may be as well.

Maternity Clothes: Just about all maternity. I'm wishing I would have expanded my maternity shirt wardrobe just a bit because I realize they are definitely longer than regular shirts. With less than four weeks to go, I am a little stubborn about buying anything else though. I'll just keep rotating those things that do work.

Gender: It's a GIRL! At the ultrasound before last, they technician said it was "probably a girl" so we made sure to ask again this time and the technician said it was. I was glad not to hear the "probably" part.

Movement: I'm feeling more deliberate and stronger moves lately. She definitely responds when I drink something cold. She is head down so I am getting a few kicks in the ribs.

Sleep: I am officially waking up just about every two hours. It's funny how your body prepares you for nightly feedings.

What I miss: Getting around without huffing and puffing, picking things up off the floor, and a good night's sleep.

Cravings: Nothing in particular.

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing baby girl at the ultrasound which will probably be the last time before we get to hold her. She looked a little squished in there. Big brother got to go with us. Since the technicians won't really tell you how she is doing, I'll have to wait until my appointment on Wednesday which are now weekly.

We also have her room about 90% finished with just few last minute touches left to be done. I also need to get in gear and finish wrapping Christmas presents. I would really like to have that done in case she decides to come early. My doctor told me at last week's appointment that if she were to come now, everything would be fine although she would like for me to make it to at least 37 weeks. With only five days to go, I think we will get there.

5 Minute Countdown

I'm finding that my blogging desire is having a serious war with time right now. I love the Christmas season and am trying to keep it that way. From past years, I have found that the more simple we keep things then the happier everyone is. And especially with us getting ready for baby girl to get here (one month!!!) I am feeling that pull to get so many things crossed off my to do list.

So, since I only have about five minutes, I thought I would give a quick run down on the past several weeks. Hopefully, I can have a 36 week post up this weekend complete with pictures. Seeing as though I haven't had a weekly picture since 31 weeks, let's just say I've grown a bit.

1. Thanksgiving with both families on the same day was great and D and I didn't even overindulge this year since we were both getting over stomach viruses.

2. We took Gav to see the Muppets movie. He loved it and both D and I enjoyed watching Gavin's excitement especially when he showed his stuffed Kermit the Frog to the Kermit on the screen.

3. The house is decorated and we have finally gotten baby girl's room into some kind of order. We also put the cradle my grandfather made securely by our bed. All of the grandchildren and now great grandchildren have used this precious heirloom. It tickles my grandfather every time it gets pulled out.

4. We have had some sweet memories celebrating Advent as a family. Every day, we have been reading a short amount of Scripture, completing a craft and mini activity totaling about 20 minutes. However, I had the bright idea to do a few other countdown to Christmas daily activities and those combined may be a bit much. He does enjoy unwrapping a Christmas book each night to read. I just pulled out all of the past years Christmas books.

5. Gavin went with me to hear his little sister's heartbeat yesterday. Apparently it still sounds like Bullseye, the horse from Toy Story. The doctor pretty much said that we were in the safe zone if she were to come any day from here on out. Exciting, but a little scary since I have yet to pack a hospital bag.

And, that's about all of the time I have. I'm being pulled away by a preschooler who has questions about Handy Manny and some tiny tools. At least that is a little more understandable than him coming to me yesterday with three pairs of underwear and a fly swatter.

Family Pictures

A few weeks ago, we took family photos. It will be the last time to do that as a family of three although, Little Ms. was definitely making sure she was not missed. We tried to incorporate her as well.


Our usually mild mannered, listening kiddo had a bit of difficulty that day. It could have been that he did not have a nap, but I think we still got a few picture keepers.



Most of these were taken by a local photographer, but D. was able to snap some as well.

Thankful For Family Traditions

Yesterday we commenced on the annual Making of the Dressing for my side of the family. It's a tradition that has happened for as long as I can remember. I am so thankful for the new additions to this annual treasure and miss those that can't always be there.

Because nothing is measured, there are always debates over how much salt, poultry seasoning, chicken stock, and eggs need to go in. Spoons are passed around for taste testing (although I'm not a big fan and usually decline). And, there's always, always a big helping of laughs to go around.

Another family tradition that I cherish, are our trips to the pumpkin patch that we started when Gavin was a baby.


Nee and Poppy joined us this time.


Gavin picked his pumpkin right away and carried it everywhere right up until it was time to pay for it. He then did a last minute switch.


D and I also found our pumpkins.


Gavin decided he wanted a closer look at my pumpkin.


And since our first trip to the pumpkin patch, I have had this thing about taking his picture with his feet next to a pumpkin.


Either the pumpkins are shrinking or his feet are humongous.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family~

Thankful for My Kiddo

I am so very thankful for this little boy.


My grandmother asked me today if he always smiles, and I was so happy to tell her that he does. It takes a lot to get this little man down.

I caught myself staring at him today as I watched him take off his socks and shoes. I am thankful I can still see a toddler in those hands and the look of concentration on his face. I was torn between being proud that he has learned so many skills over the past three years, but sad to think that it wasn't that long ago that he was a baby and needed his Ma or Da to do everything for him.


I also realized just how much he is about to grow up as he takes on the new role of big brother. When I hold him in my lap, I remind him that I have two babies: a big baby and a little baby, a boy baby and a girl baby. I'm glad he still let's me call him my baby although I don't think he will for anyone else.

A lot of people say that Gavin looks like his daddy which I can definitely can see at times, but today my mom said looking at Gavin was like having me as a toddler again. I can see some resemblance.


Gavinisms of late:

D: Why do you like honey?
Gavin: Because I like Winnie the Pooh


As we are passing by the lovely chemical plants in our area, Gavin says, "Look, they are making clouds."

A few nights ago Gavin prayed for the bad guys (his bad guy action figures). When we asked them why he prayed for them, he said because they needed God's help not to hurt Batman.

I told him that one of his shirts said, "My Dad Rocks." The next thing I know, he proceeds to get his guitar and show us how to really rock. He deserved an encore.

Thankful For Our Parents

We are so blessed to have our family nearby. Right now, Gavin is getting to spend some quality time with his Nee and Poppy so that I could go to my doctor's appointment and catch up on some much needed housework. It's funny to see him interact with my parents and how I think he even sometimes gets away with more than I ever did.

And my in-laws are just as helpful when it comes to watching Gav if I have a doctor's appointment (which seem to happen more frequently) or even if I need to just run to the store for a minute. Lately, that's a lifesaver as it's not as easy anymore to get that thirty-pounder in and out of his car seat. Just this weekend, when D and I were out for the count, Gavin spent the night with my parents and then came home and had dinner at Me Me and Grand daddy's because neither D nor I could stomach the thought of food.

What makes our parents even more special is that they have given us a godly heritage that has been passed down from their parents. And both sets have provided examples of a godly marriage in that they will have celebrated 38 wedding anniversaries this year.

I can't forget to mention that they will even go as far as dressing up for some of our "out there" parties whether it's in their best western gear or dawning the ugliest sweater.

Thankful for My Husband

A lot has changed in the nearly twelve years since I met my husband, even how much I love him. It's even more than on the day I married him. Just this weekend we got to live out some of those marriage vows, especially the "in sickness and in health" part. Boy, were both of us sick from what we think was food poisoning. But even being as sick as he was, he still tried to take care of me and single-handedly got Gavin ready for bed. He even went as far as wrapping some presents we needed to take to the church, all the while tying to take as much care with them as I would.


And while I am so thankful for his new job, I truly treasured those two months we had both being home together. No one else makes me smile, laugh or feel as taken care of as this man. He is amazing with Gavin and I know of a certain to-be-born little girl that will be adored by her daddy.



This goof ball of a man gets me out of my comfort zone yet keeps me grounded. He's the right-sided partner to my left-sided brain. And without getting too gushy, he's the only one for me.

Thankful for a Baby Girl Who is 33 Weeks

I thought I might combine my weekly pregnancy update with what I am thankful for. This little miracle growing in me is truly amazing. She already seems so different and unique from her brother and brings us a lot of joy just thinking we will get to hold her soon.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Since I don't have a picture of me, here's one a few weeks ago at an ultrasound. We'll get to see her again in another three weeks.

Size of Baby: About 17 inches - the size of a pineapple - and weighs around 4.25 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: I am kind of concerned how I am going to extend my maternity wardrobe for the next seven weeks. A few of my shirts are getting a bit short, but that's probably what I get for wanting to wear regular shirts and not maternity shirts.

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Movement: She still moves mostly at night but I also get the random surprise kicks sometimes. Just in the past week, I have been feeling some pain in my left rib which I am pretty sure is due to a foot being jammed into it.

Sleep: If I didn't have to turn over from side to side, I think I would be ok.

What I miss: I'm still having Diet Dr. Pepper cravings and I seriously wish it wasn't so hard to bend down to pick things up.

Cravings: Protein!

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing little girl's heartbeat is always so reassuring. I had a good check up today and the doctor said that after the next appointment, we would be going to weekly appointments! We also just got our picture files from our maternity/family photo shoot. I can't wait to share them.

Thankful for the Word

So I didn't exactly get on the thankful bandwagon like I saw so many of my Facebook friends do, but I thought since Thanksgiving was a week away (can it be true?) that I would post (or at least try to post) a blog each day of what I am thankful for.

Today, the first thing that popped into my mind was God's Word. I am truly blessed to have grown up with it in my life, but not until the past six months or so can I say that it has been something that I feel like I can not live without. Hmmm, maybe it has to deal with the trials we have gone through. It's been amazing to see how various things I have been reading or the part time editing that I do have tied into my daily Bible reading.

I still feel like I have so much further to go in terms of really ingesting what I am reading and having it placed on my heart, but for now I am enjoying this bit of daily reading. As I am finishing up on the one year Bible, that I admit has taken me two years to do, I am hoping that next year I can take smaller sections and truly let them soak in my life.

32 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 32 Weeks- eight months!

Size of Baby: About 16.7 inches - the size of a large jicama - and weighs approximately 3.75 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants but still trying to mix up maternity and non maternity tops. I don't think this is going to change much. I'm just not the biggest fan of maternity tops especially the ones with the ties in the back. I do like the longer maternity t-shirts though.

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Movement: She is getting more and more cases of the hiccups like her big brother did, but they are a lot softer. D also commented that she does not seem to be as feisty either which I have to agree.

Sleep:I am trying to squeeze in more sleep if I can. This morning I already had a list of things to do, but after getting up early with D and reading my Bible I decided that it was going to be ok so go back to sleep for a little while especially since big brother was also taking the opportunity for once.

What I miss: My feet! They had been slightly swollen where I could barely tell, but about three days ago decided to turn into large sausages. - not pretty!

Cravings: I am actually drinking more water and after a few weeks of being hungry all of the time, I am starting to not feel like eating so much.

Best Moment of the Week: We took Gavin to a sibling class at the hospital. It is the only class we are taking this time around, so I was hoping to get in a few questions myself. Gavin got to hold a "baby" and change its diaper, which thankfully he was all so eager to do. That will stay that way, right?



We also took a tour of the hospital where he sported his new big brother shirt they gave him. Being at the hospital again made me excited but also nervous. Maybe it was because D was teaching Gavin how babies break dance. I can't believe that in just about seven weeks we will be there having our little girl.

Three Eyed, Two Horned, Walking, Blue Candy Eater

We have had some serious computer issues lately, as in, we are wondering if we will lose all of our digital photos from the last couple of years. So we (D and I) have been desperately trying to back them all up the past few days. I had plans on posting about all of Gavin's fun costumes that he willing and insisted on putting on everyday. Something about hearing it was cold outside triggered this desire of his. Maybe it was because two weeks ago when it was in the eighties we may or may not have told him it was too hot to wear a costume to the store.

Anyways, while we are finishing the photo backing up process (sounds technical, right?), I did manage to snag one picture to post. This is his alien/monster/cookie monster/dinosaur costume (we had lots of guesses) and me in my skeleton mama and baby shirt that I made. We sported them at our church's Trunk or Treat. Gavin doesn't look too enthralled, but believe me he had a great time.

31 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 31 Weeks

Usually the picture is what holds up some of my maternity posts, but last week I had the picture and no blog. I'm going to use the picture from last week for this week but just imagine me a little bit bigger now.

Size of Baby: About 16.25 inches - the size of four navel oranges - and weighs approximately 3.3 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: All maternity pants but still trying to mix up maternity and non maternity tops.

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Movement: She has had a few cases of hiccups and seems to actually respond to Gavin or D's voice. It could also be the poking she gets when either of them are around. Both of them think my now outie of a belly button is funny.

Sleep: I kind of feel like I am burning the candle at both ends. There has just been so much to do that I'm probably not getting the rest as much as I do, but when I'm out, I'm really out.

What I miss: Picking things up off the floor easily and my energy level.

Cravings: This week it has been ice cream which is nice that Blue Bell has been on sale.

Best Moment of the Week: Gavin went with me to my check up for the first time. He was so excited about hearing baby sister's heart beat. After we listened to it, he asked me why she wasn't crying and why she wasn't coming out now. Later on, we asked him what his sister's heart beat sounded like, and he responded with, "Like Bullseye!" (the horse from Toy Story).

Super Kid

I realized there is a certain little boy who I have not blogged about lately. It's not because he has not gotten all sorts of attention, tickles, and love at home, but merely because I have pretty much had to set the blog aside the last couple of months. However, I don't want this time to slip by and forget all of the sweet memories we have made like this morning when I heard his sweet little voice say, "I'm awake now." We usually sing the Good Morning song to each other, do a series of stretch and rolls, and see which stuffed animal can knock down his Tigger from across the room.

This boy makes me laugh. Some days, I see so much of D but others like this day, it was totally me when he displayed his talent called, Monkey Toes. It's a trait passed down to at least the third generation on my side.

D and I are trying to daily teach Gavin of God's love and most days he seems to get it. When you ask him who took care of his bobos, he says God heals him. He prays for just about everything he can think of including things that have happened in the past. And for some reason, his prayer about his grandparents goes like this: "Thank you for Nee, thank you for Poppy, thank you for Me Me, thank you for Grand daddy's birthday."

But other days, he absolutely doesn't want to pray when it's his turn. I'm realizing it's a tough spot for a parent because you want them to love God with all of their heart, but you also want them to love Him on their own accord. In the picture below, he is making sure his friends holds hands while they pray.


I love these little hands which are getting much too big and capable these days. Gav likes to figure things out and will often find a way to fix something. I'm noticing lately that he seems to be a visual learner. When putting together a puzzle, he will often refer to the picture for clues.

I really don't want to say it, but he is beginning to transition from the toddling toddler to a preschool runner.



I was concerned a month or two ago, when he started stuttering rather suddenly. What I researched proved true, he was going through a language growth spurt. Lately, when we ask Gavin a question, he will respond with a very thoughtful,"Well........" Other phrases he uses a lot:

"That's just silly."
"I love you to the moon and back."
And embarrassing as it is, to a stranger he might shout out, "Hey you!"

I can pretty much understand everything he says, but of course I am around him 24/7.


Like many other three year olds, Gavin can be somewhat clumsy. One day after the second or third time of him falling, I told him we would have to get him a helmet. He came back with this contraption. I have to say, that it might actually protect him and cause bodily harm to others.

We are so thankful that D found a new job. He was part of the thousands who had been laid off as a result of canceling NASA's space shuttle flights. If someone would pay D to stay home with us, I would be fine with that because I truly enjoyed having him here. And I know, this little boy did as well. It gave them some bonding time and I can say that D does a much better job at playing Batman and Star Wars than I do.

Gavin is also going through a huge super hero phase. I probably shouldn't call it a phase because it may be the beginning of a lifelong fascination with all things super hero. He loved that his grand daddy's birthday was a Superhero theme. In our eyes, this kid is pretty super.


I'll try to post sooner next time so I'm not writing a novel.