Shower Number 2 Here We Come!

Snaptacular & a Survey

A couple weeks ago we had a maternity session with our favorite photographers, Snaptacular.  We got some really fun and sweet shots & had a great time doing so.  We shot at Mercer Arboretum, the same place I used for my bridals, & I don't know how everyone doesn't shoot there.  It makes for a beautiful backdrop!  Here are some of the shots we got that day.

Could my husband be any sillier/cuter?? :)

Turns out I have a birth mark in my belly button that has decided it would like some attention

Look at that back drop!

I mean it's like the pictures are out of a dream

Size of baby:  Brace yourself....baby is the weight of an average cantaloupe.  Measuring about 4.75lbs & almost 18" long!
Total Weight Gain:  I set a total pregnancy weight gain goal for myself & this last week I met it so I am somehow hoping that baby is able to gain weight as he/she needs, but allow me to not put any more lbs on the scale ;)
Gender:  Lots of dreams of the baby being a girl lately, but I'm pretty sure that's just wishful thinking on my part.  People still seem to be guessing about 50/50, so I guess we'll see! 
What I miss: I miss sleep pretty terribly...It's been a very hard thing to come by lately.  Between a big belly, very painful tingly/throbbing legs, & having to use the ladies' room every couple hours (at a minimum) I have been pretty miserable at night.  I am hanging in there though.  When I do get a night of sleep I am pretty much the happiest girl...ever.  
Cravings: Spearmint, sweets, sour, salads, sweet tasting fruits, ice cold water with lemon, & just plain ice.  If I could just have those things every day it would equal my heaven.  The water with lemon thing is getting out of control...I am pretty psyched to go out to eat and have those two things at my disposal.  Chase is so over me chopping ice though...
Symptoms: Tingling & throbbing legs along with a very sore back after being on my feet for even a couple hours these days.  Speaking of feet, they are not handling my extra pounds well.  Other than that...smooth sailing ;)
What I'm reading: Still working on finishing Babywise.  It seems to be taking me forever!  But I am getting through it.  I've also been reading Heaven is For Real, just for fun.  I am also super psyched to be getting the book Bringing Up Bebe from my sweet father.  He sent me an article about the author and the book she's writing about her experience while living in Paris and observing the differences in their parenting style.  I plan to study up!  Hopefully this baby is preparing for me the way I'm preparing for them, I mean seems only fair ;)
Best Moment this week: Again, I've missed a lot of weeks.  But the last couple weeks have been the best!  Seeing my nursery come to life, slowly but surely.  Having so much help with creating the beautiful nursery from our families has been a dream come true!  Having an awesome baby shower & getting to spend some sister time with both my big & baby sis was awesome.  I'd also like to point out how awesome it was that I wore heels for a whole day and felt great!  And finally, hearing that baby is already head down was pretty great news.  I'm hoping he/she stays that way!  

Hope everyone has an amazing week!  I will be posting again soon with pictures of our next shower!  

XO- Lauren

Baby Shower for Little Pepper

Yesterday was my first baby shower & it was amazing!  My Aunt is truly a pro at throwing showers!  We had delicious food, good conversations, lots of "ooh's & aaw's" over tiny toys & outfits, tons of memories shared & silly lady laughs.  It was a day to remember!  Here are some pictures of our beautiful ladies brunch.

Delicious treats!
...notice the sour candies surrounding the center piece.
She really knows what makes me smile these days :)

Adorable right??

Beautiful!

Our photographers gave us these gorgeous pictures from our maternity session
to display for the shower.  My Aunt knew just how to show them off!

Me & my amazing Aunt!

Look at that belly!!

My sister Lex flew in, on her birthday, to be at my shower!
Here I am with both my sisters & my mom.
These are some special ladies!

Now this next picture needs some explaining.  At my bridal shower my sister planned a game where she recorded Chase answering questions about the two of us & I was asked the same questions, if I answered incorrectly I had to take a piece of gum.  Now for this shower both Chase & Shannon have been fighting colds so they were unable to get together to record, but instead emailed back and forth.  So again I was asked questions and if I was incorrect I had to take a piece of gum....only this time I have the most ridiculous craving for spearmint gum so the "punishment" was really the best gift ever!  Nothing like a mouth full of spearmint gum!


Needless to say I got quite a few wrong because it turns out Chase is very specific with his baby answers; example: Q- Do you think the baby will say "dada or mama" first? Chase's Answer- "Dada...at 8 months".  :)  It was such a great game.  Lots of silly inside jokes between the two of us as well as some ever so sweet remarks by my smooth talking hubs.

The game in progress

Pretty excited about this bad boy ;)

This was the blanket & pillow that I used when I was a little tot

Trying on some of the hand made baby attire from  my Great Grandma

This is a picture of my sister & my reaction when
Chase showed up with flowers to surprise me.
Told ya, he's a smooth one ;)

:)

Chase & I came home and unpacked the car and pretty much just stared at all the gifts piled up in the nursery in silence for a minute or two.  We both just keep saying, "Can you believe we're going to have a baby next month?".  It's a pretty incredible feeling.  We didn't stand staring for too long, I broke into the gifts going through each one telling Chase who got what & what we were going to use the gifts for.  He indulged me by smiling & saying, "cool", every once in awhile but really he was tearing into the baby monitor to get it charged and set up so he could play with it.  Boys & their electronics!  
Chase & I are so overwhelmed & blessed by the love that our little one has already received.  We are so grateful for the time & effort spent by others helping us prepare for this little miracle.  Thank you a thousand times to everyone who came & showered me and our little one yesterday!


XO-Lauren 

Baby Shower Here I Come!

Do You See What I See??

Well, do ya?? :)

Want to Blog but I'm Pooped...

I have been off the last 5 days and they have been a whirlwind of baby! Armed with my tape measure, notebook of lists and sketches, and my secret weapon & savior...my mom I have been out every day trying get the nursery together.  I've come to find out that putting together a room for such a tiny person takes a lot and, and by a lot I mean...$$

It has been stressful, exhausting, and fun but I am finding myself in bed before 8pm wishing I had one more day to recoup!

So for now, a pic of what I look like 10 weeks away from my due date....yikes, it's coming so soon!

As Promised

Now that the holidays are over I am going to attempt to get back to blogging.  Between a busy holiday season & a sinus infection that got me as soon as they ended, Chase & I have just gotten the Christmas decor back in it's pretty red and green bins.  Fighting the congestion & waddling my big self around made it pretty fun this year, but I am relieved my house is finally somewhat back to normal.  


Here is a short recap of some holiday fun:  

Bailey in a bag!
This was after taking our enormous tree out of that huge bag.

One of the best things about the holidays...
SAUSAGE BALLS!

Mmmm

The girls are ready for company!

Ready to host our first Christmas Eve :)

Dessert Buffet

More food

And more...

It was pretty amazing

We crammed 27 people into our home

The more the merrier!

The only picture I took of people with my lovely cell camera
Chase & Our "Nanny" Grace ;)

 Christmas Eve was incredibly hectic, but oh so worth it.  Chase & I are so blessed to have this beautiful home to share the holidays with our family.  We hope that they had as great a time as we did.  Next year I don't think we'll be as brave with a little one crawling around, so I'm so glad we got the chance to test the waters this year.  


This year for Christmas the hubs got me the prettiest gift ever...this little beauty:

The Sony Nex5

Is that not the prettiest camera you've ever seen??  I have been wanting a new camera for quite some time now, and with little pepper making his/her appearance this coming year I was really hinting at getting one for Christmas.  Chase & I went to a couple stores and finally found someone who was incredibly helpful.  We were told that this was going to be our love and so far they are correct.  We have taken tons of pictures & in true post holiday fashion...have looked at none of them :)  Don't you worry, beautiful pictures are to come!  


As you may have seen from my last pic post, I've gotten a bit....bumpier than before ;)  This baby has been growing like crazy & he or she moves around all the time.  We definitely have a little Chase on our hands, wild child already!  Chase has been able to feel the baby move around a lot more, he was even able to feel where the baby is usually laying in my stomach.  I've been telling him for weeks that I can feel the baby through my stomach & he finally was able to feel him/her too!  Of course he just tells me as I rub my stomach..."you're going to make the kid come out all lumpy!"  Well, let's hope that's not true ;)


Before I leave you, here's a long overdue survey:

Size of baby: Chinese Cabbage...whatever that is?  Baby Pepper is 2.25lbs & 14.8" long!  If baby was born today he/she would have a pretty good chance of survival.  However, Chase & I would like for the little one to cook a bit longer.
Total Weight Gain: My scale is broken (let the jokes begin) so I haven't been able to track my weight as I'd like, but the last time I went to the doc's I had gained a scary 16lbs
Gender: Chase stills thinks boy.  I've had lots of people telling me they're feeling a girl.  I have had several dreams of our future love & it has always been a girl, but that could be persuaded by the fact that I'd like a mini me to dress up in pretty bows & dresses ;)
What I miss: Missed champagne during the holidays.  Miss my pre-prego clothes.  Miss being able to walk without panting & feeling the ache in my feet and back.  I really miss not having restless legs all the time....(sigh) Just 80 more days...
Cravings: Lately, cuties oranges are my love.  I have also had this very strange obsession with mint gum.  When I brush my teeth, I want gum...When I use my astringent on my face, I want gum...When I wash my hair with my mint shampoo...I really want gum!!  It's pretty ridiculous.
Symptoms: Sciatic nerve pain like mad, restless/crampy legs, outgrowing my new Z-size bras, & still with the teenage acne (despite my best & most expensive efforts to control it)
What I'm reading: Reading the 'After baby is born' part of What to Expect, especially trying to get a grip on this breastfeeding thing to make sure I'm a pro.  Let's hope baby pepper is studying up as well so we can own at it.
Best Moment this week: I've missed so many weeks & have had so many amazing moments, but a few would be...

Chase being able to really feel the baby move more.  The baby reacting to daddy Chase yelling at the football game.  Going to the Texans game & feeling the baby squirm picturing him/her cheering on our team.  Having so much family & loved ones around us for the holidays.  

During the holidays we felt truly blessed...but now we're feeling pretty stressed!  We are now in preparation baby mode.  I will do my absolute best to keep you up to date & get back to my weekly posts!  

XO-Lucky Duckies