welcome home, baby austin

Easter Sunday

Family, food and fun.
It doesn't get any better than that.

Emma dyed Easter eggs for the first time and just loved it. Like really, really loved it. She also had a great time searching for all 70 eggs (!) that the Easter Bunny set out for her and even got away with eating her weight in potato chips. She was one happy camper!

Three days before we welcome baby boy to the world.
The good thing is that I really don't feel as big as I look. But geez, that is a humongous belly.

Getting Ready

Last night I finished washing all of Austin's clothes and I think the only thing left is to boil bottles and pacifiers. Phew! I am pretty sure that anything I have forgotten can easily be picked up when we get home. I do still need to pick up a copy of Water for Elephants, a robe from Target and get that mani/pedi I have been dreaming about...but for now I feel good.

I spent some time cleaning up the house last night and it doesn't completely look like a trainwreck anymore. I think I finally figured out the trick to housework...it's really, really hard work and you can't take a day off. I sure am glad I figured this out now. Also, I have stocked up on a pretty hefty supply of Method cleaning products and I am extremely pleased with how well they clean. Plus, they smell really good. My favorite part about them is that since they are safe for children, I can now have a little cleaning buddy that helps me to spray and wipe down the counters and windows.

All good things.

Tonight we are going to my Grandfather's birthday party so I hope to get lots of pictures of him loving on his great-granddaughter. He really is the sweetest man and we all just love him to pieces. Until then, Brandon is at class, my parents are bringing me breakfast, and I only have a few loads of laundry left.

We are ready for you, Austin. Come whenever you like.

Final

Yesterday I proofread Brandon's final paper and I can honestly say that I am married to the smartest person I have ever met. The fact that he was able to write a paper with such incredible attention to detail in the midst of all the chaos in our daily lives is astounding. I can't wait to watch him graduate and finally get his well-deserved Master's.

Also, he sure is going to look cute in his black robe walking across that big stage! Only a few more weeks left, Sweets! You can do it!

Best Friends

A little taste of how conversations go around here. She is too much for me to handle. I guess Allie and Gideon are going to be VIP at her next birthday party!

And yes, those are skeleton jammy pants. She was loving that they glow in the dark!

37 Weeks

Today I am 37 weeks pregnant and decided it was high time to list a few stats.

• I'm up 25 pounds which is more than I wanted to gain but half of what I gained with Emma...so I'd say it's a win.
• I feel contractions, but nothing to be concerned about.
• I can still fit into my wedding rings which is pretty remarkable. I attribute that to the fact that summer temps haven't hit yet. It seems the second the temperature gets about 90 degrees I instantly swell.
• Austin is 6 pounds 10 ounces and absolutely perfect. It's truly a miracle and I feel so blessed.
• No cravings in particular. Still a little weird about chicken.
• I drink so much milk that I have to physically cut myself off to make sure Emma has enough. She loves "cold meelk" too.
• My belly is 41" in circumference, I'm hoping to get a picture today to help visualize that. I can't believe that my skin is able to stretch like this. I don't think that I have any stretch marks, but I have a feeling that a few might turn up later.

That's all I can think of for now....

OH YEAH! By the way, I am getting induced next Wednesday April 27th at 5 am! Due to a little two-vessel cord issue (read a bit about it here if you like) our doctor would feel more comfortable having him out of me before he gets too big. I am thrilled, excited, nervous, and completely ready to have my baby boy here with us. I think I am going to spend his first month with my nose buried in his face smelling his sweet breath.

Aside from yesterday's list becoming a little more urgent, we are going to patiently wait for his arrival and cherish this last week as a family of three. Our girl is ready to be a big sister and has already been practicing holding and rocking her baby brother. Even going so far as to very rudely demanding us to be quiet when we are talking too loud during his "naps". Bossy kid. I plan on spoiling her this week to make up for the attention she might lose once baby boy arrives. I'm already anticipating the mix of overwhelming love, guilt and exhaustion that I'm going to feel next week. Have I ever mentioned how lucky I am to have such amazing family and friends who take care of us when we need them the most? Come over next week if you want to be part of a big ol' love fest.

Even though she is ready to be all grown up, enjoy these snippets of my Emma when we were just a family of three with only one sassy little girl.

This Week

Enjoy this little video of my girl just being herself. Isn't that voice the cutest?

Aside from more fun in the sun, I'm really looking forward to:

• making spring bows for Emma
• sewing up a few more pillows for Austin's room, bibs and burp cloths
• planning my new post-pregnancy Zara wardrobe
• finishing up the bulk of my classwork and applications (not that it matters, schools are lay-off crazy right now, sigh...)
• getting a mani/pedi
• deep cleaning the house (yes, I'm actually really looking forward to this)
• getting a new robe, jammies and outfits for the hospital for MYSELF! I didn't think to do this with Emma and spent two days in a hospital gown. I vowed to never let that happen again.
• plant a few potted flowers and get the fruits and veggies we want for our garden. I'm thinking tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, strawberries, carrots and something unique like radishes.

It's going to be a busy week but a really fun one. I just need to remember that when I start completely freaking out this weekend!

Miracles

This commercial couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Love it.

Garden Girl

We didn't spend too long outside today, but we did let her water the grass "all by her, by herself". It seems that all we hear these days from her little mouth is, "pwease I do it all by my, by myself!" So of course, we naturally give in to those big eyes and that precious baby voice.

She is an independent little lady, that's for sure.

I should also mention that I am overjoyed that Brandon cleaned out our garden bed and got it all ready for planting! That garden holds a special place in my heart and I can't wait to watch my girl get her hands dirty and then run in fear from all the worms Brandon uncovered in the soil. It's going to be great!

Current obsession

How could I forget my new go-to nail polish?! Nice is nice by Essie. So happy to see that they carry Essie at HEB, it makes my life so much easier!

Spring

As we prepare to add another boy to the household (very soon might I add) I felt that I needed to start marking my territory with hints of lavender throughout the house. Just because Emma and I will be working on an even playing field pretty soon doesn't mean we can't indulge in a few pretty things to admire. We decided that the boys can have the garage as long as we have free reign on the house and garden. I'd say that is more than fair.

LOVING my books and coral. I can't wait to dive into those books. Some are old, most are new, and they are going to be full of inspiration when I can't find the time to catch up on my favorite design blogs.

My lavender and basil getting their daily sun bath. They add the sweetest smell to our kitchen.

Silly girl in cozy jammies helping Mommy.

Our new cereal bows and snack plates. These are from TJ Maxx and Emma loves them as much as I do!

I just might be all talk because I sure can't wait for snails, dirt and baseballs to weasel their way into my life. We just can't wait to welcome our Austin into the world!

Go 'Stros!

Last night we made our first trip out to Minute Maid to see the Astros play. Luckily, Brandon's company rented out a suite so were able to get there extra early to let Emma explore on her own terms. This kind of came back to bite us because by the time the 5th inning rolled around we were spent.

We were able to leave without injury, but that doesn't mean that a certain two year old didn't throw up her ice cream all over the suite, have to be bathed in the bathroom sink, and run around in just a diaper until Daddy could buy her another outfit at the team gift shop. It was definitely a learning adventure and a huge wake-up call as to the things that should always remain in my bag. I'm not sure what in the world would possess me to stop carrying around a change of clothes and oxiclean.

While there were some really fun moments, I promise, I'm not sure we will be season ticket holders anytime soon.

Daddy's Girl

I can't imagine that Brandon could love anything more.

Why did he already get a Father's Day gift you ask?

We don't really know.

But I can't wait to see what my surprise is for Mother's Day!

Playing Outside

I can't believe that I actually managed to spend a good two hours outside (kind of) playing around with my girl. I have been sick for the past two weeks and I finally feel like the fog has been lifted. It was a perfect evening to spend in the backyard and my Emma was totally in her element.

All smiles.

Um, can you say Granny Josie? I think that pose must be genetic.

Doesn't she look so big in her swing? I remember when she could barely see over the lap belt.

My sweetheart.

Funny Books

This book comes out in November and I can't wait to read it. I think she is just hysterical!

In the meantime this should keep me laughing for a bit. It's in my Amazon cart for next month and I can't wait to dive into it. There's nothing like a good laugh when you are up all night with a little babe.