Girl's trip!

It is very rare that myself, my mother and sister spend time together much less without rug rats pulling on our legs.  So we decided to plan a girl's trip (kid free!) last weekend to go see my Granny and Aunt Shannon in Tyler.  We got to take my new car too and it rode great!

We picked up my sister from Conroe/Woodlands on Friday morning and we were off! SO MUCH CONSTRUCTION on 45! We were at a standstill for about 20 minutes due to the lanes going down to one! But we pushed through and stopped and ate in Centerville.

Then we were back on the road.  Now this part gets interesting! My mom has been to my Granny's house several times and I have not been in over 4 years so I was a little unfamiliar with where we were going.  My mom had her trusty note card of directions (and I my navigation system in my car I had never used) so I thought we would be ok! We are just driving along, talking and I realize we are on this same road for a good long while now.  Then I see a sign that says we are going to Dallas! We drove like almost 40 minutes out of the way! Oh well, we turned back around and got back on track.

We got to my Granny's house around 3:30pm (it felt like we were on the road forever!) I was so tired. Homemade pizza and games were on the agenda that night.  It felt great to laugh and actually get to talk with everyone.  I even stayed up late....until about 11!

I woke up the next morning at 9:30am and it was glorious! We were going to do some shopping and eat lunch in the big town of Tyler!

We headed home but had to stop at the grocery store to get what else but ice cream of course!
We watched a movie, ate some ice cream (way too much!) and played more games.
It was a great weekend and I really enjoyed the company and so amazed by my 90 year old Granny!

We are hoping to do this every year! 

Bryan and Logan had lots of fun while mommy was gone! I missed them so much!  

24 weeks

Wow I cannot believe in 3 short months I will be holding my baby boy...or about to POP!

Maternity Clothes: Ugh...yes everything is getting so binding....wearing lots of skirts and dresses.  Counting down the days until the weather gets cooler because it will be leggings all day, everyday! :) 

Gender: BOY. Mason Bruce :) 

Movement:  More and more! He loves to move around when I eat or lay down.  Bryan actually felt a little kick last week and if he looks at my stomach can see it bounce! 

Sleep: FINALLY feeling like I have a good position.  On the left side.  3 pillows under my head and 1 pillow folded in half between my legs.  But getting OUT of bed is a struggle.  I kind of have to roll. 

What I miss: Just feeling tired quick.  And if I don't eat or have a snack every so often I feel dizzy and nauseous.  Maybe that is why I have gained 20+ pounds......whatever.

What I am loving: Of course feeling him move makes me happy! And I do complain about being so big, but it is still amazing to me a human is growing inside my body!

Cravings: Cereal.  Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs.  

Best Moment This Week:
I have 2!
1. Logan got to come to my 24 week appointment with me! He thought it was so cool to see the baby on the "computer".  My doctor also delivered Logan so we tried to explain that one to him, but he gave the doctor a high five and that was all he thought about that!
2. Got started on the nursery! Well did my first painting project and I was so pleased with how it turned out! Found the same one on Etsy for $35.  Mine cost $12.  I can't wait to get the crib down from the attic soon and really start putting the nursery together.

ETSY 

I think I did pretty good! It will look better when it is hung! 

Completely unrelated but we got a new-to-us car this past weekend!

So long Rav4! It was a great car for the past 3 years, just needed something bigger!

Say HELLO to our new (2010) Mazda CX-9! Fully loaded, third row, touch screen, leather......I might be spoiled now! It was GREAT to go to the car dealership on an Aggie Game day and  nobody was there! We felt like we got special treatment.  I have bought 5 cars in my life and this by far was the best experience I ever had.  It was great and I can't wait to take it out on a road trip to my grandmother's house this weekend! 

30th birthday and gender reveal!

So let's see, we have been BUSY! Where to begin?

20 week ultrasound went great! B was moving around like crazy.  Baby was perfect, and measuring 3 days ahead.  They also re-confirmed the sex for the 3rd time.

We have known the gender since 12 weeks, that is right....12 weeks! We have been keeping this secret for a while now! But here it goes!
We are so excited that B is a...................BOY!

Mason Bruce Parks

When we decided on Logan's name, we also said we loved the name Mason and if we ever had another little boy that would be the name.  Well here we are almost 4 years later and still love that name!
We also decided that the middle name will be my Dad's name, Bruce.

Another sweet little boy to take up my heart, we are so overjoyed with this little blessing.  Logan is pretty excited about having a baby brother too! We told him the name and now he calls him "Mason B" since we have been calling him "B" forever.  But since his middle name is Bruce, Mason B seems fitting.

We did our first gender reveal in Laredo with Bryan's family back in July.

We had to tell my parents of course, but since this was their 4th grandson, we played a little trick on them.
I picked out a girl card and I thought my Mom was going to pee her pants.  Then on the inside we let them know their 4th grandson was on his way! She might still be mad at me.  But of course they are excited!

The night before my birthday, Bryan and Logan went out and got me a gift.  Bryan and I do not ever do individual gifts,  so I never expected anything.  I was very surprised when he gave me the "Mother's Love" necklace from James Avery.  

We also had my 30th birthday this past weekend and did the gender reveal there to share the news with friends! We had stickers with a bow or bow tie.  Most of my friends thought girl :)

It was such a fun day surrounded by people I love! Even the adults had fun on the water slide!
We had burgers and hot dogs, the kids played and crashed out, and the adults stayed up too! I cannot believe I finally went to bed at 1am! I am so lucky to have such great friends in my life!

Then my poor sweet boy woke up with a little cold, he must have partied too hard! All he wanted to do was stay in bed with his juice and balloon! He feels better now though :)

I feel so very lucky and blessed at this stage in my life.  There is so much more that I thought I would have accomplished by 30, but I can honestly say I have everything I could ever want in life. On to the next one!

18 weeks

Almost halfway there!

18 weeks 

 This pregnancy has been so different.  I have had some bleeding scares (went to doctor every time and he says baby is fine!) around 15 weeks and just overall have felt so tired early on. Feel like this baby is so low.  Doctor says that is pretty common for second pregnancies.  The morning sickness has seemed to pass.  Just praying everyday I get to full term! 

Maternity Clothes: Of course! I am so much bigger with this baby.

Gender: Yep we know! :) Not letting it slip just yet but have told some close friends and family.  Gender reveal party at the end of this month :)

Name: Yes we have first and middle.  Middle is a family name and first name is a name that we have loved when we were talking names 3 years ago with Logan!

Movement: felt little tiny kicks this weekend.  Every time Bryan tried to feel baby would not kick anymore. 

Sleep: Waking up to pee of course about 2 or 3 times a night. 

What I miss: Being able to lay down or play with Logan and not feeling so huge and uncomfortable.  Sometimes Logan wants to crawl on me and play but I just can't.  He has learned he has to be gentle with mommy. That is hard for a 3 year old to comprehend. 

Cravings: Water.  Lots of it.  Fresh fruit. I have been eating lots of peaches!

Best Moment This Week: Feeling baby kick.  Logan singing to baby and talking to my stomach.  Cutest thing ever!! He will also tell me my belly is getting so big and lift up his shirt to show me his "big" belly.

Really looking forward to our 20 week ultrasound next Monday and then the big anatomy scan on Thursday.  Prayers appreciated for healthy baby! Keep on growing B! We love you so much and cannot wait for you to join our crazy family! 

Hello second trimester!

14 weeks

 

 

Wow, that was quick!

The morning sickness has begun! With Logan I got my morning sickness in my second trimester and the same for this one.  Other than that, I feel better.  Not as tired, but just feeling BIG. And my back hurts......already!  I am scared to think what I will look/feel like in my third trimester!

  

Maternity Clothes: Yep! Since 8 weeks! I feel like you pop out more with your second, or that is what I keep telling myself!

 

Gender: Pretty sure boy, but who knows! I just cannot image me being a "girl mom". We will hopefully find out at the next appointment on the 14th.

Name: We have a name for both but I am not in LOVE with the girl name we picked out.  So this is why I think boy.  I LOVE the boy name we have picked out!

Movement: none yet

Sleep: First trimester, I had to get up a pee a million times, but now it is only like 4 times a night. I will take that.  Have to sleep with a pillow in between my legs.  Just have to! Still can sleep on my stomach, but getting uncomfortable so I mostly sleep on my side. 

 

What I miss: Coffee.  I don't want to drink it, it sounds gross to me, but sometimes I miss that extra kick it gives me in the morning.  Eating and not feeling like I am about to burst.  I am so hungry, but then I eat a little bit and I get so full so quick. Then 30 minutes later, I am hungry again. 

Cravings: Poptarts. I never eat them and I have gotten them at the store lately. Fresh fruit like watermelon, peached and pineapple....YUM! Oh and root beer. 

 

Best Moment This Week: Logan trying to "name" the baby.  So far he has come up with Knight and Old Macdonald.  Old Macdonald Parks has a nice ring to it right?!
We also got to read him his big brother book.  It melts my heart to know what a great big brother he will be to baby!

 

Not our plan....

Hidden baby chronicles weeks 6-12

Writing this I am still in shock. 
We are pregnant. 
I mean, come on, I know HOW this happens, but we were NOT trying. Had not been trying for 3 years.
We had a plan. The plan was to wait until Logan was 4 to start trying that way we would not be killing ourselves financially in daycare costs. 

We had a plan....God had a better one. 

April 26- It was a Saturday, I got up and had my normal Saturday schedule.  Head to the grocery store.  I got up that morning and felt.....different.  Boobs HURT.  Like oh my gosh, it hurts to even wear a bra.  Then I put some pants on and they seemed a little snug. Weird. Then I went to pour my morning cup of coffee and I about puked.  For those who know me, I LOVE coffee! Hmmm.
I am pregnant.  I knew it.  My period was not late but it would have been in a few days.  So while at the grocery store I bought a cheap pregnancy test, even though I knew what the result would be. 

I would have been shocked if it was negative.  I just stood in the bathroom and cried.  Happy tears of course.  Logan heard me and ran in and said "What's wrong mama, don't cry, you are a big girl."
My sweet boy.  I told him mommy had a baby in her belly and he wanted to "see" and tried to lift up my shirt.  :) It was so cute. 
Well my husband was out of town at a cook off event, so I called him and told him over the phone. I could not wait until he came home to tell him! There was no way I could not tell him if I talked to him! He was happy and said he "had a feeling" I was. 

May 2-Off to my parents house to drop Logan off for the weekend while we went to a wedding.  I had gone to Kohl's and bought a shirt for Logan to wear.  My mom's reaction was priceless.  They are super excited and of course think it is a girl, we will see. 

May 7th: first doctors appointment.  Baby measured about 6 weeks and a few days.  We even saw that little heart fluttering at 114 BPM.  It was amazing.  If we did the math correct we are due end of December.  My doctor says my uterus is very small and that is why I had Logan 3 weeks early, so it will likely be the same for this one too.  So probably mid December.
 

As far as feeling, I am tired and hungry.  I also already have a significant bump.  I told the doctor to make sure there was only one in there, and he said there was.  I have gained 6 pounds.  I did not show with Logan until about 16 weeks.  Here I am at 6 weeks and I am in maternity clothes! I don't care, give me a healthy baby and that is ok with me!
We call the baby "B" for baby. It has nothing to do with what we will name him/her.  Logan has not asked or shown interest in B. I guess he will when I get bigger. 
Yes, we already have names picked out.  First and middle for boy and girl.   We won't be paying the name game until we find out the sex, which will not be until August, maybe even at the July appointment. My mom wants to know the name SO bad!

 May 20th:8 week appointment

Looking like a baby now! Heartbeat was 164 BPM.  Everything on track and looking good! Even though I have gone through this before, it still amazes me.....and terrifies me.  Bryan never could make the early doctors appointments with Logan, so when he saw the baby and heard the heartbeat he shed a tear or two.  It was sweet. 

Pictures of me, yes I was showing at 9 weeks! Look at that bump!!

9 weeks-major bloating going on here!

10 weeks

11 weeks

June 19th: 12 week appointment

 

B is measuring 12 weeks 3 days! Heartbeat was 162 BPM.  Little bean was moving around like crazy! Our doctor is awesome and since we were the last appointment, he took extra time and got some really good pictures of this little one.  As far as how I am feeling, I feel lots better! Less tired, but have had a few spells of morning sickness this week.  I got morning sickness with Logan at 12 weeks also. 

 

12 weeks

We have realized that we can plan all we want to, but His plan is all that matters.  We are beyond excited about this little one to join our crazy family in December.  Prayers appreciated. We are still trying to figure out daycare and what that will look like. But we have faith that everything will work out!  Keep on growing B, we love you more than you know!