36-37: Sonogram and Work Shower!

It's all getting so real now. We are about at full-term, and this could really be happening any day! I have begun to wake up each morning and wonder if I'm going to step out of bed to notice that my water has broken, like how it all happened with Nico! Thoughts about the reality of labor have started to make me nervous. I just keep hoping and praying that she is healthy and everything goes okay. Oh, and please let me get to the hospital in time for an epidural!

I'm still feeling pretty good overall for being this far along, and I attribute that to having a lighter work schedule than I did when I was pregnant with Nico. There is a lot more down time to be able to sit during driving rather than standing on my feet most of the day. People still can't believe that I am this far along, but I'll admit, my body has started to feel it this past week with the fatigue and aches toward the end of the day! (And the increasing urine leakage. TMI.) This weekend, I went into some crazy nesting mode and started reorganizing even more. I decided that we had to get rid of the two large shelves in the office. I'm kind of irritable too. I'm not sure how David hasn't killed me yet.

Little Natalie is moving around a TON in there, and I have been able to feel and see her booty sticking out some just under my upper left side. That's where all the action seems to be. Her hiccups are always on the lower left side too, so it's obvious how she is positioned most of the time. It's so reassuring to have these frequent, strong movements all day long! (Although David swears he saw her heel sticking out when he glanced over at me one night and was realllly disturbed!) I'm trying to make a point to soak in and memorize these special and fun moments during pregnancy, knowing that it will be our last one. I still get excited with every movement I feel, and I don't think that could ever get old.

We had a very exciting doctor's appointment this week since we got to see her again! Everything is measuring normal, and her head is down and ready to go! She's an estimated 6 lbs so far, and I'm up to +23 total! I fell in love even more when I saw the images of her perfect little face. Even though it's just 2D and hard to really tell much, I still can envision the most adorable lips and cheeks like her brother. She kept puckering her lips and practicing a sucking motion throughout the viewing.

So I bought Nico a big brother's shirt, and we reminded him often about how he would get to come with us to see the sonogram of the baby. He seemed excited about it... until the day came! He threw a fit about having to wear the shirt, which turned into threats and us basically forcing it on him. Then, about a minute or two into the sonogram, he kept saying that he was bored and wanted to leave. Buzz kill! Overall, it was still a special time, I think?! I had apparently built up this perfect family moment in my mind that was probably unattainable!

He really is excited overall though and continues to talk about her multiple times a day! It really is so apparent how fresh it is in his mind based on his every day conversations that involve her. He talks a lot about how he is going to help teach her things and also about the things that she won't know (i.e. when his dinner was steaming hot, he told me how he would have to tell her not to eat it yet.)

My coworkers through me a shower on Thursday morning at our weekly work meeting, and I was completely blown away! They went above and beyond with decorating the room, and not to mention, we were spoiled again with plenty of wonderful gifts. I am becoming more girly and am especially loving all of these little outfits that we have received!

 

 

We are more than ready for her to make her appearance! Stay tuned!...

Happy 7th Anniversary to us!

David really pulled out all of the big guns for our 7th anniversary! Dave and Cindy came down for the weekend to hang out with Nico while we had all Saturday (and Sunday morning) to ourselves!

Our first stop was to get pedicures. So relaxing. I couldn't allow myself to close my eyes, or I would have quickly fallen asleep. We then hit the drive thru of my latest obsession, the Summer Moon food truck, for a decaf latte. I jokingly told David that our date could have stopped right then and there, and I would have been more than content. Ha!

He knows about my love-hate relationship with surprises, so he then took the goofiest route to lead us toward downtown Austin. He really enjoyed messing with me, since each different way led to new guesses about what we would be doing. When we finally reached our destination, we were at the DRISKILL! I couldn't believe that we were actually staying in such a fancy place. We, or at least I'll speak for myself, always felt so cool going in there for a drink the past couple years during the holidays, and I never thought about actually staying there. Ahh!!

After we checked in, we headed out and about on 6th Street to grab a bite to eat. About the time we were walking out of the hotel, the Duck Tour stopped in front to describe the famous landmark and commented that "anyone who is anyone stays here." I giggled.

We went to Iron Cactus for a few drinks and chips and queso, and then stopped in one of the many nearby bars whose live music got our attention. I had a couple Saint Arnold's non-alcoholic beers, and they were delicious. It was perfect patio weather with a little breeze.

 

We went back to the hotel for an hour or so to relax before our romantic night began! David made reservations at Carmela's, a cute little Italian restaurant where we ate the night after we got engaged. It was special to revisit this place, and we actually sat in the booth next to ours. How much times have changed 9 years later for us!

 

As we were walking back to the hotel with overly full bellies, I saw the horse and carriages in front of our hotel and commented on how I've wanted to do this and that we should definitely do that with Nico later this year for the holidays. David got a sh*tty grin and said, well you're doing it now! We had a nice 30 min ride throughout downtown Austin, and I felt like I was on the Bachelorette show (corny reference, but they are always going on over the top, fancy dates).

 

The whole day just felt so out of the ordinary that I really felt like we were on a vacation in another town. We hadn't had that much quality time in what feels like forever. One of the best dates so far!

 

34-35: Baby Sprinkle!

I am starting to see the finish line, and it's crazy to think that we have 5-6 weeks OR LESS! I'm sooo ready to meet her!!!

We had our 34 week doctor's appt this past week, and everything is still moving right along! My belly is measuring right on track, and I have gained 21 lbs so far. I have been feeling pretty good and only have had mild versions of the expected symptoms at this point. Finding a comfortable sleeping position has been about the most annoying change this week, so poor me may only be getting 7-8 hours of sleep instead of my usual 9+.

Pancakes and cereal have been my two go to foods lately! David makes the most amazing pancakes with banana and peanut butter cups, and I can't get enough of these things! My sweet tooth has been kicked into high gear. You're welcome for all of the sweet treats, Natalie.

I did have a borderline crazy patient moment last week that resulted in me calling in on a Saturday morning to the after hours on-call doctor's line. It was over hiccups. They reallllly increased for a few days time. I'm talking 15-20+ min for at least a handful of times a day. I made a stupid mistake and looked this topic up online. I just so happened to read a lot of message boards (note: nonmedical sources) about frequent, prolonged hiccups signaling umbilical cord compression and to alert your doctor asap. Awesome. Even though I really didn't see much on there from any legit medical sites, I couldn't help but worry some! When I woke up on Saturday morning and the hiccups immediately started again, I decided that I could either call in or lose my sanity. The doctor reassured me that hiccups were a good sign, and there isn't any medical research that they are bad. And go figure, they didn't happen as much afterwards. When I mentioned this to my regular doctor at our appt, she actually gave me a hard time and said she wished she would have been the one on call so that she could tell me to get off of google. :)

 

Sunday was a special day, because one of my neighborhood friends, Heather, threw me a baby sprinkle! My closest neighborhood friends and best coworker friend came, and they all completely spoiled us. Natalie is definitely set for the first handful of months with the cutest wardrobe and toys! I can't help but keep going through all of her girly little outfits!

 

We sat outside in this little decorated nook at Rolling in Thyme and Dough in Dripping Springs. A food trailor was parked out on the patio with a variety of brunch items and coffee. It was the perfect little space for our gathering. 

 

 

These girls have all been there for me in one way or another since we moved down here about 3 years ago. I couldn't help but tear up when I thanked them for everything and how much their friendship has meant.

 

 

David even snuck a gift in for me to open here. The front is pink/purple Rangers themed!

Other than those fun updates, the only other thing going on around here is that it is just about pool season! Nico and his buddy Derek have been hanging out a lot lately!

 



Mother's Day!

Between Nico's projects at school (a questionnaire about me and a painted pot), the delicious edible arrangement, balloons, cards, a new phone, meals throughout the weekend, and just general TLC from David and Nico, I felt so loved this Mother's Day!

Nico may have wished me a Happy Mother's Day about 137 times. He especially made sure to say it as an attempt to seem extra cute and get out of trouble, i.e. not listening or making a mess and then looking up at me with his sh*tty grin, exclaiming, "Happy Mother's Day!!!" Love his sense of humor and sarcasm.

This holiday is particularly special this year since it is my FIRST as a mom of TWO! {Well, sorta technically.}

We made our news Facebook official with these pics and a brief note mentioning my first Mother's Day as a mom of two! We were so flattered by all of the congratulatory comments and love that these pics triggered. Little Natalie is entering a world with so many people ready to spoil her and love on her!

I read this quote a while back, and I have continued to think about it more and more lately with Nico's extra bursts of affection. There have been plenty of extra "I love you"s and cuddle time outta him lately. I love this message.

“You will never be this loved again. So on those days when you are feeling stressed out, touched out, and depleted, just remember that you will never be this loved again. One day you will long for their affection. So choose a soft voice, choose gentle hands, choose love.” -AK

It's amazing how much motherhood can change so much about you and your perspective on life, and it only continues to get better and better. Your heart continues to fill up more than you thought possible. MOM is the best title that I will ever have. So grateful that I was the chosen one to be this boy's mom and that I get a chance to do this all over again!

{Happy Mother's Day to my mom too, celebrating from a far on the way up to Michigan! You're the best.}

Hook 'em Horns baseball

I'm not sure how we haven't taken Nico to a Horns baseball game until today, but we did finally get out here and caught a beautiful day for baseball! David had a special reason for coming out, because his college baseball coach is now the assistant coach for Oklahoma State.

Nico was thrilled to track Bevo down and give him a high five.

If you haven't noticed, this guy likes to eat his way through sporting events.

We still secretly cheered on the Longhorns despite our free tickets courtesy of OSU. The Longhorns lost, but it was a fun day at the ballpark!