Houston Shower :-)

We had our first baby shower with our friends and family in Houston this past weekend and it was SO much fun!

Patrick and I hadn't really been back in a long time to just see friends, it was always just to deal with more house drama, so we were looking forward to seeing everyone.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but we were too busy talking with all our guests!

Amanda and Debra hosted it for us at La Madeline, and they did such a great job!  We had yummy snacks, and sweet cupcakes made by another dear friend, Allison Wiggins (Again, NO pictures - boo!)

We had friends from my parent's old 'hang' out group, from my first neighborhood growing up in the Woodlands, our Coppercrest crew, our band directors and so many more friends.  To say we are blessed to have so many that love us is an understatement.  Not that the gifts matter to us, but we literally couldn't fit anything else in the car on our way back to Dallas.  Cohen's room is littered with bags and cards from people that love him already!

Picture OVERLOAD!

Here is me with my hostess(es).  Amanda had a family emergency and had to leave super fast and early so she wasn't in the photo-op.  Her Dad is doing much better, and we wish him the best!

 I think Patrick cracked a joke and Debra laughed....but I like the picture and you can see the mounds of diaper cakes, gifts and balloons behind us!

Opening gifts and chatting...

 Our Ole' Coppercrest Camp! We were so excited to see them and have them there.  After the party, we stopped by for a little bit to catch up on the neighborhood drama and details on our house.  Its always hard to go back and then have to leave. :(

Amanda dutifully taking notes on our gifts - such a great time!

 Band director buddies, time to chat and get caught up! We were so glad ya'll came!

 My favorite balloon ;-)  I have really gravitated towards the whale or sea life theme for Cohen, especially in his cute clothes and towels.  Maybe I have Maui on the brain???

Thanks again to everyone!  We miss you already and can't wait to bring Cohen to meet his Houston family!

30 weeks!

Marination Time: 30 weeks, meaning no longer in the twenties - I am officially 8 months pregnant today, holy cow!  Even more shocking is my weekly count down is now 9 weeks and 6 days...if you count the week early induction, we are looking at 8 weeks and 6 days.  HOLY COW! I'm not sure I'm ready for this.

Fruit/Size this week: Head of lettuce (18 inches, 3.2 lbs) And yes, it feels like a bowling ball of salad resting on my lower body and pulling on my back. I'm super excited that he's growing and healthy - and also super excited that this extra weight is just temporary!

Maternity Clothes: We started school this week with professional development, flute camp, and high school band leadership camp, so my comfy summer wardrobe is obsolete.  I'm finding most of my fancy/school appropriate tops are too short or too small...same with my 2 pairs of slacks.  I'm trying to be creative with borrowing clothes as I will only be wearing these for another 8 weeks.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Movement: This is still my favorite part!  I think he has been head down this week as his kicks and shoves are really high and near my ribs.  A couple days ago I rested my cell on my belly and it was dancing! Also, Cohen gets hiccups at least once a day.  They feel like little tiny kicks at 10-second intervals...maybe my own personal metronome!

Cravings: Sleep!  I've reverted back to my first trimester non-sleeping habits.  I am able to fall asleep just fine at 9:00pm but 2:00-4:00am is my awake hours.  It may be the anxiety of starting school again, getting closer to his birth, the job situation, or random other little things.  Guess I'll be used to those nighttime feedings, though!

Annoyances:  The physical limitations of being pregnant. ;-) Its annoying to try to do dishes, laundry, feed the dogs and have to sit down afterwards!

Belly Button: Flatter and Flatter... more stretch marks on the side of the belly than on the front.  I'm waiting to see if they will make it all the way around.

Highlights: I am feeling bigger movements this week.  Its reassuring ;-) and we are in the home stretch! We have a couple showers coming every weekend for the next 3 weeks, so I'm excited to see all our friends and family.  Not pregnancy related, but Patrick and I made it through the first month on his adjusted salary and it feels really good to still be able to pay our bills.  We've been much more creative with our meals and finding/using coupons.  Dave Ramsey would be proud! Oh, and our first shower is this weekend in Houston.  I honestly am more excited about seeing everyone than actually having a 'formal' shower.  Its been WAY too long since we've been back to visit, and I am just over the moon to get to see everyone ;-)

We started our two week visits to the OB this week.  It won't be long until we are seeing her every week! 

Blessings!

Cici and Petco Shower!

Huh?  What did you say read?

Yup, that would be my parent's chosen names for 'grandma' and 'grandpa.'

Cici - My mom's first name is Cindy, so this seemed to fit well.  Plus, I think the word grandma or grandmother is just too much for her to take in.  I really think she's still in shock that I'm pregnant...and that she will be a Cici!  Anyway, someone at the church shower found this logo...we didn't even think about the pizza joint. I think I will make a knock-off shirt for her to wear ;-)

Petco - This one is a bit more difficult to explain.  My dad is part Czechoslovakian, so his parents have a very heavy accent.  His given name, Peter, translates into roughly Pet-Co...something we have been calling him for a while as a nickname.  The name just seemed to fit when we were

So my mother's church wanted to honor these first-time grandparents with a small shower.  We drove up to Tulsa on Saturday (July 21st) to be there with them.  It just so happens that was Mom's birthday as well, so we had double the reason to celebrate!  It was so sweet and nice to see everyone, and boy, her church LOVES her!  She had over 50 people there, and enough gifts to fill the car plus some.  I think she is all set!

Here is picture overload!  Sorry!

Me and my parents (Cici and Petco)

The Cake!  If you can read it, it has their names in yellow icing in the center!

An action shot of the church parlor- early on: I stopped counting when we had to put more places to sit.

Me and my lil sis, Laura.  Audrey couldn't make it because it was a Saturday, and you know what hairdressers are doing on Saturdays!  But we missed her!

I guess they were really excited about whatever gift this is!

More precious gifts - we were so spoiled!

Proud future-parents ;-) I still can't believe Cohen will be here so soon!

When we got home, mom had to sort everything out in the living room.  In fact, she made the grand-baby room in less than 24 hours complete with everything put away.  Now she's just waiting for the baby!  

Anyway, New Haven UMC was beyond gracious for hosting and showering our family with such love.  It was fun and we are so blessed ;-)

Have a great week!