Showers and Gifts!

So far, I have had two baby showers (with one more to go next weekend) and have received so many wonderful gifts from people! We have been so blessed by how people have given to us -- both shower gifts and hand-me-downs (swing, infant car seat, bassinet, stroller, etc). Here are some pictures of our showers, and please forgive me, they are in random order -- too hard and time-consuming to get them in a good order (at least for me :).


This is the cake at my school shower. It is absolutely adorable! One of the interpreters (and a dear friend) made it herself. She is so talented in making cakes. And it was wonderful -- extra pound gained here :)


A Thomas Kincade puzzle I got for Christmas (I love framing puzzles) that we (mostly Nate) finished recently. After we glue and frame, it will be going up in Tristan's room. We thought it would go well with the deer head and antlers that are already hanging up in his room :) He is destined to be an outdoor-sy boy!


This was my cake at my home church. So cute and so good! 2nd extra pound gained here :)


Here is Nate and I standing behind our table at the shower at my home church. Aren't the decorations the cutest?!


This is the quilt that my grandmother (Mamaw) made for me. It is so beautiful and I had no idea she was making me a quilt, so it was a wonderful surprise. Definitely one we will preserve and cherish!


One of my co-workers (the deaf ed teacher that took over my job after I left) made this blanket and door hanging thing for me. It is a soft cowhide fabric on one side as well as a cowboy pattern on the other side. She also made a bib just like the blanket, but I may be too scared to use it -- too cute to mess up!


This is at my home church's shower. Blurry picture, but I still wanted to post it. It is of all the pregnant women at my shower :) I'm first, due in March. Shannan, my sister, is second and due in April. One of my dearest friends since I've been little is third, due in May. And last, but not least, is my college roommate pregnant with twins (girls, we think!), due in July.


These are two of my college roommates who came from Canton and Dallas to the shower. It was great to see them! I've only seen them once since my wedding.


Some cute clothes -- I think the "totally handsome" and the frog outfit is just adorable :)


Some more cute clothes -- I just love the John Deere outfit!


This is Nathan's and my favorite gift! Camo cowboy boots -- it just can't get any better than that!


And lastly, my 34 week picture. I'm definitely growing now! Luckily, I'm still feeling great and little Tristan is not causing me any problems or any real aches. He's such a good baby already!

Big or Small Baby?!

Well, I had always been told that you will give birth to a baby similar to the size you were when you were born. Well, for me, that was 8 lb 13 oz. But everyone has been telling me how small I am for this far along (34 weeks yesterday), even had a friend (nurse) estimate the final weight to be 5.12, and I started thinking that maybe I might, after all, have a small baby. I mean, so far I've only gained 22 lbs (ok...4 lbs in the past two weeks -- must slow down on the baby shower cakes now!). However, I went to the doctor yesterday and asked her if it is possible to guess the weight of the baby so far. Without even thinking twice, she said "6 lbs". What?! Isn't that the size of a regular full-term baby?! Then she said "And from here on out, he can gain 1/2 lb a week, but hopefully he won't." So, calculating that...I could be having a 9 lb baby -- if I'm not overdue! She said my height hides him well, and that he is probably a long baby as well -- taking after Mom and Dad :) Good thing is, I've heard that the bigger the baby, the quicker they sleep through the night because their stomachs can hold more milk and they don't get as hungry as smaller babies. Hopefully that is right! 6 more weeks...crazy!

I have had two showers so far -- one at my home church and one at school. Both were so much fun and we got lots of great stuff! I hope to post pictures up soon. Right now, due to our internet problems, it's not possible to download pictures. Maybe this weekend, so be sure to check back :)

Decorating the Nursery :)

So, I'm 33 weeks on Wednesday, and finally getting something done to the nursery! It's about time, huh?! We debated on a John Deere theme or a camo theme -- camo won out since it was easier to find. If you know me, I like doing things the easy way :) But, we still have some John Deere touches in the room. Both are green, so they compliment each other, at least I think! Anyways, here are some pictures to help you visualize Tristan's room so far:


Our 2nd crib (first one went back to the store -- mattress wouldn't fit!) with all the camo bedding and decor that came along with it. Isn't it just perfect for a little boy?! We actually like this crib much better than the first. Matches the bedding much better.


The curtains that came with bedding. A little short, but again, we're not picky :)


Nathan's deer head (the rest of him is in our freezer, of course!) that looks directly into the crib (from the opposite wall) -- Nate says to watch over Tristan. It may sound a little creepy, but it's actually cute in the room. Gives it an outdoor feel.


Not room decor, but Nate's mom gave this to us recently -- isn't it the cutest stocking?!


My mom gave this to us recently. They are so perfect. Camo fits the room, Nate loves fishing, and we live at a camp! Couldn't have fit us better :)


Ok, again, not the best picture, but here I am at 32 weeks. I'm growing, but I still don't feel this far along. I guess I always thought pregnancy would feel more like pregnancy...if that makes sense! I feel quite normal, except for the belly pooch, the additional 18 or so pounds, and the occasional kicks and squirms. He's definitely in there, but he's been a really good baby so far -- just hope that continues once he is born!

Christmas

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! It was so wonderful to be able to spend time with family this Christmas since last year was our first year not to be around for Christmas. Unfortunately, our plans to travel to Oklahoma to visit some of Nate's family was canceled due to the blizzard in OK City, but we were able to travel to Corsicana (which is much closer) instead to visit some of the family. We will be traveling to North Arkansas next week to visit Rudy's famiy. 7 hours one way...with two very pregnant girls! How much fun is that?! Anyways, here are some pictures of our Christmas holidays :)

Me and my pregnant sis -- me at 29 weeks, her at 25 weeks! Both of us are having boys!


My sister and her family -- she is currently expecting #3. The youngest was not happy at all to be taking family pictures!


Here is Nate practicing his baby carrying ability with my new baby sling -- I think we will both have to practice!


Picture one of us :)


We didn't realize we were wearing halloween colors!


Ma and Pa :) Aren't they cute?!


Here's the whole family together!


The four kids -- me, Nate, my sister, and her husband.

I'M SO EXCITED!

I just got the best news in the world -- just absolutely made my day. It was an email from my old college roommate. Most of you don't know her and don't know anything about her, but I'll fill y'all in anyways :) She, we'll call her "M", and her husband have been trying for a few years to get pregnant, but with PCOS, she wasn't having any success. Right before I told her I was pregnant, she had emailed me with hopes that with the medicine that she had been taking that she might be pregnant. Unfortunately, the tests came back negative. I went ahead and told her about my pregnancy, and being such a wonderful friend, she was so happy and excited for me, despite their troubles in this area. She has completely relied on God during all this, which has always been an encouragement to me. Let's fast-forward several months to today... I get an email from her saying that she is PREGNANT...with TWINS! God is so good and this timing is perfect! He has always known this time would come and all He needed was this couple to stay patient and wait on Him and His timing. And the time has come :) M -- if you read this -- CONGRATS AGAIN!

A little better pictures

So, thought I would post a little better pictures than my previous ones (I've had a complaint about taking lousy pictures -- thanks PJ!;). These are after coming home from school today. I'm 28 weeks today!

Baby Stuff!

Thought I would share some of our baby items so far :) I'm surprised about how many clothes we have already! Some are from garage sales and some are new that people have already given us or donated to us. Here are just a few:


This is the crib that we ordered. We really like it -- simple but still beautiful! We don't have crib bedding for it yet, but we're searching...


The clothes on the left were donated brand new to us -- Ralph Lauren! Our little boy is going to win all the little girls wearing those :)


And how could we not have a hunting outfit?!


Aren't these just precious?! Nate really likes the one on the right, with the brown vest :)

We also went to start registering today. We both felt absolutely lost about what to register for! I felt like the majority of the stuff we registered for are all the big expensive items -- play pens, car seat, high chair, etc... It's a good thing we are having showers or there would be no way we could afford a baby!