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.