31 weeks!

This week I am officially at 31 weeks! We are now scheduled for doctors appointments every 2 weeks, which is just making her and this having a baby thing that much more real! She is at the stage where she is growing 1/2 lb per week... Whoa! Also, I apparently had my first Braxton Hicks contractions on Sunday while trying to take a nap. They just really felt like uncomfortable side stitches you get after running... but on my stomach. Thank you Joella (my sis in law) for clarifying what they were, I had no idea.

Other 3rd trimester symptoms- The acid reflux has started to set in at times, and I don't sleep through the night anymore with my overactive bladder. I know I sound like I'm complaining a lot, but really I have felt really good! It's been very exciting to have some of my great girlfriends getting pregnant too, to share all of these crazy experiences with. Congrats dear ladies... You know who you are! :)

Now it's off to Austin & Amarillo for Thanksgiving! Can't wait to see all my family and grub on some turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mis

Pinterest Project of the week...tomato cage christmas trees

I am not really sure if I am just excited that it is the holidays, bored because my husband has been out of town all week, or the nesting phase has REALLY set in! Whatever the case, it has made fore some serious projects and organization!

Last week I cam across the pinterest christmas tree out of a tomato cage and was set. So, last night I stopped by home depot and the rest is all history. I think it was quite successful and even more, really easy! Here is the original link that was posted from pinterest.
http://nedesignbuild.com/articles/?p=137

Step 1:
Buy tomato cage from Home Depot outside in gardening dept. I got (2) of the 54 in for each side of my front door. ($5/ each). I then zip-tied the top together to close the christmas tree shape. (zip ties are in electrical section in hardware store and good for EVERYTHING!)

Step 2:
Wrap Garland around tree. I used garland I had bought last year at Hobby Lobby for $3/ strand. It took about 4 strands/ tree. You can skip this step if you just want them to be light up trees in yard! The garland was moldable, so basically stayed in place, but I zip-tied in 3-4 spots to cage to make sure it didn't sag.

Step 3:
Wrap with Christmas lights. I went for basic white lights. The 300 count box for $9 at home depot covered 1 entire tree. Secure to cage in several places with zip-ties again to make sure they stay in place as needed.

Step 4: Add tree topper of your choice...I went with the silver sparkly star because it went with my wreath I already have for my front door. I found these at home depot as well for $7. A bow would also look really pretty....

Step 5: Place in pot. I thought this gave it much more of a finished look and made them taller, and much more stable. I used 2 extra large clay pots (my house is spanish style) that I already had sitting around my yard.

Total cost for me for 2 trees was $44 since I already had the garland and pots. I could have saved $14 if I had just made a bow or already had a tree topper. I took the easy route.

Sorry for the poor photos, they were all via iphone. I will post another pic once I have my entire front porch finished...it is a work in progess and I guess I am already jumping the gun since it is only mid November.

Happy Holidays!

Mis

Darren & Melody's Wedding- Austin, TX

We had a great weekend in Austin. One of Kevin's ski trip buddies got married at the Four Seasons downtown and we had a chance to catch up with some friends we haven't seen in a while. Melody (the bride) had one of the most beautiful dresses with gorgeous sashes I have ever seen, and it looked perfect on her...as I think she is about 5'10 and weighs about 100 lbs soaking wet too, so that makes the perfect model canvas! We had a great time, although it was quite interesting trying to find attractive "formal" maternity attire for the wedding. Had to switch into flip flops after the ceremony, as my 4 inch heels just werent happening and I was making Kevin really nervous attempting to balance. We got a few dances in, and then I was happily ready to chauffer my buzzed husband home by 11:30 and crash out. What has happened to my energy?! Also, big news in my little world..I got bangs. Ha. I get so bored I have to switch it up sometimes to keep from really cutting my hair. They are fun for now, but already driving me nuts...so I am sure they won't last too long. Can't decide if they are really fun and hip or if I look like a soccer mom. Gotta love change though. Kevin likes it because he gets to feel like he has a new "girlfriend" :) So, thank you Holden Allen at Michael Kemper Salon for your awesome hair cuts as always!


Cocktail Hour before Reception @ the Four Seasons



The Morgans and baby girl at 29 weeks!

Matt & Monica Spencer

The Strozowski's



The Bride & Groom



Kevin (and his Movember mustache), Darren (groom) and David

Kevin is out of town for part of this week for work as well...so it looks like it just may be my window (and excuse) to start decorating for Christmas. Yay! I cannot believe Thanksgiving is only 8 days away....I think Harper is really excited too as she is kicking nonstop!

Have a great week!

Mis

29 Week 4D Ultrasound and the start of the Holidays!

We had our 4D ultrasound today! It was such a cool experience, but I am not going to lie...it is a little creepy looking! She has a really stong heartbeat, is measuring right on track and moving up a storm. We have learned through all of our ultrasounds that she is a shy little girl in the womb, and she always puts her hands over her face! We haven't seen her sucking her thumb, but I guess she is just keeping the light out! The coolest part to me was being able to just see each little finger, toe and see her moving up a storm. She has really been rock n' rolling for the past 3 weeks. She looked to be already doing the sucking motion and we saw a few blinks, some waves and just some overall squirming. I don't blame her-- it looks crowded in there! And yes...she is still a girl. Kevin planted the seed in my head this last week that the 19 week ultrasounds are wrong with the sex A LOT so they could've been wrong with us. If you have seen her closet, the thought of that just sends me into royal panic mode as it is all pink! But, no fear friends...she is all that is woman.

Here are a few of the cool pics that were taken...we cannot wait to meet her.

Isn't she cute?!

Yesterday was also a big day with the kick off to Nutcracker Market! My sis came in town Wednesday night and the 3 of us went to dinner at Flemings (man I miss rare filet and red wine) and then we tore up nutcracker market from 9am until I left at 6pm with Stacie. It was a great day, but I literally have "riding boot rash" where I literally rubbed the inside of my legs raw from being on swollen preggo feet and legs for way too long. I was wearing boot socks? But who knows. Don't worry. I will not post a picture of this! Anyways, my sister, Stacie and I all tore it up and I got a ton of my Christmas shopping out of the way...so that is a relief. I also found a few cute wall decorations for Harper's room...so it is coming along.

We head to Austin this weekend for one of Kevin's friends weddings. It is a formal wedding at the Four Seasons, so I am sure that it will be beautiful and a good time. I am a little nervous about sporting "formal" wedding attire at 7 1/2 months pregnant, so lets hope the dress I found at Nine Maternity in the Village works out...or should I be more worried about my formal 4 inch heels. Ick. Let's just say it is safe to assume I won't be on the dance floor all night!

Happy Friday!

Mis

28 1/2 Weeks...

Wow. I am not only in my third trimester, but it is already speeding by. I can't beleve that we are at the point that our baby would have a strong chance of survival if she was born this week. We definitely want to keep her in to bake for at least about 10 more weeks though! Since I have some of my fellow ladies that are either newly preggo or thinking about it in the near future, here is a little recap of how I have felt step by step so far. I know I always had these questions for what it was "really" like. This has been my pregnancy in a nutshell!

1st Trimester:

• Cramps that started really early on and lasted until about 6 weeks (why I swore I wasn't pregnant- ha!) Some pretty severe at night that freaked me out
• Questioning if I am "really" pregnant or not! Took about 4 positive tests...
• Light spotting
• Tired
• Aversions to red meat, or and protein on a plate with a strong odor or strong seasonings
• Cravings- anything bread, dairy or just bland. Fruit and raw veggies were still a go too. This is where ice cream love came into play too...and I never craved sweets before.
• Frequently felt the need to pee!
• Light nauseau, but only when I didn't regularly eat something...she was not going to let me skip ANY meals! Never threw up! Thank you Lord.
• Started to feel "bigger" around 8-10 weeks...started maternity pants at end of 1st trimester. Hated the belly band.
• My chest size really started increasing at 8 weeks...first time in my life!

2nd Trimester:

• Felt great!
• Knew for sure we were having a boy (ha!)
• Food aversions less severe but still not wanting seafood or red meats.
• Plenty of energy for workouts, at of course a slower pace
• Shortage of breath even climbing a flight of stairs
• Still very sleepy by evening...ready for bed by 10pm
• First kicks felt around 21 weeks- very light flutters. Did I really just feel her?
• Really "popped" right around 20-22 weeks
• Chest size even bigger...up 2 cup sizes (husband very happy)

3rd Trimester (so far):

• Feeling and seeing very strong kicks and movement pretty regularly...especially when I lay down at night
• Hands and feet starting to swell
• Increased appetite, but less room for large size meals
• Even more tired...ready for bed at 9pm!
• Feeling much larger...getting the "eager to meet her" feeling and ready be able to do normal workout routine again
• Nesting mode setting in....need to organize and clean out everything!

28 weeks!



not decorated at all yet...but a great start!

We had a very productive weekend at home. It has been over a month since I have actually had a weekend at home, so it was really amazing! Kevin put together the bouncer and the bassinet that we recieved as shower gifts last weekend and we arranged the furniture in the nursery. Thank you to my mom who came into town and helped me figure out what we wanted where. We have the basics in there, now I just need to finish organizing, get wall art, curtains up, mirrors, etc. All the fun stuff!

getting there...

 My mom and I also had a Christmas power shopping day at Nordstrom (hello semi-annual sale) and I got some great Christmas presents. We both found some very cool riding boots that are really coming in handy since heels are becoming less and less of any option now, and that is all I ever owned before. So, thankfully I was able to snag my gifts early :) We got mom her very ever pair of skinny jeans to wear with her new boots...I am so proud. Way to go mom- you looked super hot!

Cole Haan Riding Boots w/ Nike Air soles...so comfortable!

halogen brand riding boots in cognac

We also had a new addition to our family this week! My sister and her husband brought home their third fur baby named Splash. He is a Australian Shepherd and is just precious. I can't wait to meet him over Thanksgiving. I hope Apache and Pecos are happy to have a new little baby brother. Look how cute he is!

Splash Thomasson

sleeping in the car windsheild?

Thats about it for us this weekend. I am really looking forward to another busy, but fun week ahead. My favorite event of the YEAR kicks off on Thursday...the annual Houston Nutcracker Market! I cannot wait to snag all the rest of my Christmas gifts for everyone, maybe find some great nursery decorating items... and it just makes it feel like the holidays :) Friday we have our 4D Ultrasound and our 29 week OBGYN checkup appointment too...so stay tuned for pics to come! I cannot wait to see her in 4D!

Have a great week everyone!

Mis

What's in a name?

What's her name? Have you decided on her name yet? I get that question about 5 times/ day and I dont blame everyone! I don't know if we are having a harder time than most people with trying to figure out a name for our daughter that will be born in January, but we cannot jointly decide on one!

Kevins favorite names:
1. Sophie
2. Sophia
3. Ellie
4. Ella

My favorite names:
1. Harper (what I already call her)
2. Ellery
3. Any unisex names that aren't as common...

So, in my mind our little girl is already Harper Grace. Kevin was on board with that name but now he just loves Sophie or Sophia. I really think those are beautiful names but both are in the top 10 most popular names for 2011, and I find that just wrong! Plus, I just feel like Sophia just sounds to sweet and calm to be any child that is an offspring of Kevin and myself! Help! How do you decide on a name? I am so ready to start embroidering stuff already and I have all sorts of Pinterest intial letter projects I need to get started on! :) All I have to say, is our poor little girl must be so confused already because she hears mom call her Harper and dad call her Sophie.

Is that bad parenting already? Ha ha.