Random

So, this is just a random blog -- just some things that have humored me lately. First, I want to share two things I have seen lately while coming home. One was just down our road -- a huge cardboard sign that read "Lost Sick Yorkie -- Needs Meds -- Please call ###". I found that really funny, not to be mean or anything :) The other I saw today. Some "homeless" people were on the side of the road with a sign that read "Looking for God's people. Will you help us without lying?" I'm not sure exactly what they meant by the second part. What exactly would I lie about?

Anyways, I went to Walmart today to find my nephew a birthday gift for his second birthday. While looking around -- I noticed something so cute, I couldn't pass it up. Not for my nephew, but for Tristan. Now, understand this -- I have been so good about not buying anything for Tristan (we got so much at showers!) except some necessary items and a few clothing items at consignment stores (for about $2 each -- yes, I'm cheap). But, anyways, I saw this and just had to get it -- my little treat for my little boy :)










His own sock monkey! It was only $5, so I thought "Why not?!" Everybody needs to have a sock monkey growing up! It just makes me smile :)

Had my 38 week appointment yesterday. No change since last week, so just waiting. I did have "higher" blood pressure last week, but thankfully, that was back to normal this week. Strange though, I actually lost 1.5 lbs! Definitely not trying to -- I feel like I eat more than normal. Who knows... So, Nate and I decided to have a Sonic date last night and get some ice cream -- it was so good as always! Definitely feeling more contractions -- most are painless, but every once in a while, it will be a little achy. Nate thinks Tristan will come March 4 -- but I'm thinking either March 8 or 12. He also thinks Tristan will be 7 lbs 8 oz, but I think the opposite -- 8 lbs 7 oz. Guess we will see soon enough!

Full Term!

I'm full term!!! Goodness...how am I full term already?! Here is my 37 week picture. I think the kids at school think I will never have this baby! They just can't seem to understand that having a baby takes a long time :) Anyways, I had my 37 week appointment yesterday. I'm dilated to 1 cm and am 60% effaced -- whatever all that means exactly! My doc thinks I should deliver close to my due date, which is great with us. The longer he stays in, the fewer weeks I'll have to return to school once the maternity leave is over. I have also gained a grand total of 22 lbs so far, which is really surprising to me -- I thought I would gain a lot more during this pregnancy (but definitely not complaining!). Nate and I went yesterday for a hospital tour, which was really good for us since we haven't taken any classes and really didn't know what to expect. The lady that helped us was fantastic in explaining everything -- we feel much more at ease now. Tristan is just moving around like crazy these days -- I think he is ready to come into the world! Just hang in there a little while longer, buddy!

We've moved to Colorado! (not really...)

Ok, so we really didn't move to Colorado, but it sure felt like it today! Yesterday, on my way to school, you could see little snow flurries, but nothing too much. However, throughout the day, the weather would alternate between huge flakes and ice rain. During the late evening through early morning, however, it just SNOWED! And you have to remember, we DON'T get snow here in East Texas, or at none that sticks, so this was a shock! Woke up the next morning to a white outside, with about 6 inches of snow! Today was a teacher's workday, but I had already decided not to drive the 40 minutes to school and just take the day off (they still wanted the teachers the come in 2 hours later). Luckily, about 8:30 this morning, I receive word that school has been canceled for teachers also. So, anyways, we got out about 8:00 to go play in the snow and take pictures :)! However, unfortunately, we no longer have electricity (I'm at in-laws now)...neither does my mom in Tyler, or my sister in Bullard, or my aunt in Flint, and so on! Over 20,000 people don't have electricity -- what we pay to have a little snow fun!


Our camp road covered in snow!


Couldn't believe how much snow was piled on the tree.


Where we got married. The snow makes it look like Colorado with the log buildings!


Our lake -- beautiful!


This is our house...for now!


Nate and I standing in front of the gazebo.


Pretty tree, I think :)


More pretty frozen trees!


Our white front yard!


Showing how much snow we got!


Our camp boss clearing the camp road. We are supposed to have a camp from Dallas come in tonight -- hope they still come! Just found out we have electricity again -- yeah!

It is all supposed to melt today, with temperatures being in mid-50's tomorrow, so we'll just have to wait another 5 years or so for this to happen again!

Valentine's Day

I know Valentine's Day isn't until Sunday, but Nate decided to do our "date" Thursday night. I really wasn't expecting anything special -- he just said that he would make me a special dinner. So, I got home that day from school, went to the bedroom to do my prenatal yoga while Nate cooked dinner, and as soon as I walked out, there was this scene:


It may not look special to you, but it was to me :) The lights were dimmed, he had music playing the background, and the candles were lit. Yes, it is at our coffee table, which we rarely eat at, but it was a nice change from our kitchen table. Much more romantic :)


He had printed out each course so I could read each one while waiting. On the back of each paper was written a "discussion question" for that part of the meal. They ranged from "What did you first see in me that attracted you to me, and do you still see that in me?" to "What are you most excited about for the future for us as a couple and a family?" It was really a good time of conversation as well as eating wonderful homemade food! Anyways, this was our started course -- it was fabulous!


Our main dish -- and all homemade (yes, the cordon blue chicken was homemade!). For some reason, I couldn't get this picture and the dessert picture looking as clear as the first. Again, it was wonderful!


And our dessert, which was the perfect end to our meal.

It was a wonderful Valentine's Day meal. I have to say, I'm so very lucky to have a husband that treats me so wonderful!

36 weeks!

So, I had my last shower, and once again, we were blessed by all the gifts (overwhelmed once again!). It was such a cute shower -- they had everything decorated in camo :)


Once again, another cake picture -- and it was an incredibly delicious cake! I took the leftover cake to school the next day and it was all eaten in no time!

Me standing with my cake!


The hostesses got together and made a basket of goodies for Tristan. This diaper bag was in it -- isn't it just the cutest?! Perfect for a little boy! It also had five Baby Eistein DVD's, which was great because I wanted to start a collection of those. It's funny -- I've only seen one of their DVD's, and it was in an old village house in the middle of nowhere in Asia!


This picture was given to us by the leaders of the camp we live at. It matches his room perfectly and I love the saying on it "His eyes are on the sparrow and I know He watches me" -- so I'll always be reminded that He is watching over Tristan.


Someone brought this for us -- a huge camo teddy bear! I can see Tristan playing and climbing all over him when is gets older!

I went for my 36 week checkup today. My doctor was shocked by how much he has dropped -- she kept saying how low he was. However, no real dilation, so no progression there, but again, I still have 4 weeks. I still have stuff to do to get ready for him so I'm in no hurry for an early arrival! His heartbeat ranges anywhere from 130-160, so definitely a strong heartbeat. I go every Wednesday now until he is born -- no more free Wednesday for me! Time is flying by so fast!

Only 5 more weeks to go!

So, 5 more weeks to go! I find it funny that I don't feel this big, but then I see pictures of myself, and I am shocked how big I really am getting! Feeling great -- no aches or pains, no heartburn, no swelling/fluid retention...yet... Tired after school (leaving the house by 6:30 every morning is hard!), but nothing a good weekend's rest can't fix. I have my final shower on Sunday -- thank goodness! It's so hard to organize everything when you still have showers and gifts to receive! I'm starting to become really anxious for him to get here -- so ready to have a little boy here :) Nervous about how to take care of a baby, but I guess every mother feels that way with her first child. It's strange to think that our lives are about to change dramatically -- maybe even more than moving to Asia! I don't know...maybe a close tie. I'll tell you later which was more of an adjustment (but I'm guessing this little boy is going to win :) I just keep thinking that he can come anytime now. Our plan this weekend is to get a bag ready for the hospital, just in case!