ITS OUR WEEKLY PICTURE ROUND UP

Kenny and I are getting ready for our trip to Las Vegas and I am exhausted because our magical clock failed us this morning and we were all up at five.  So I bring you a very quick weekly photo dump to recap our week!  It was a pretty low key.  We spent a lot our days playing outside and a lot of our afternoons driving around on the golf cart and watching Kenny on the driving range. The weather was just so incredibly beautiful.

There was one afternoon Elle was playing dress up and we loaded up and headed to the course.  Which  resulted in this picture.  

 My entire heart!

We never really went to the pool this week and one day for lunch after playing outside I decided to make miniature pizzas with Elle.  They are so simple and kid friendly and remind me of my childhood. She absolutely loved it! She ate three of them! We will definitely be doing it again.  She just loves to help me in the kitchen.

 Spreading the pizza sauce!

 Cheese and pepperonis!

 A little cheesin before they hit the oven.

Mommy and Elle selfie with the finished product. 

 Picnic outside enjoying our work.

One evening after dinner and right before bedtime we headed to the range.  Elle and Kenny were being so cute.  Kenny would hit the balls and Elle would stand by the ball bucket and throw him a new ball each time. I pray she continues to love going with him to the golf course and ends up having a genuine interest in playing for herself.

We let Elle drive the cart when we get back into the neighborhood.  She is getting better at steering. Obviously she can't reach the gas just yet.

Kenny's parents are in town to spend time with Elle and Mrs. Ann snapped this picture of us watching a movie together.  A little blurry but still sweet.

19 WEEK UPDATE

How far along 19 weeks and two days  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a mango.

Total weight gain/loss? Most likely around 10 pounds. Ugg.  

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  Finally got some maternity bathing suits that I ordered in.  I ordered them to big but didn't feel like returning them and risking not having them in time for our Las Vegas trip so I kept them and they are so much more comfortable.  I also got my items from a maternity boutique called Pink Blush and I am really really pleased with of of it.  Makes me have hope that I will be able to get some fall pieces that I feel cute in.

Stretch Marks- None. Still need to start lotioning up though!

Sleep? Sleep is okay. Just have to get up to pee all the time. It is such an evil cycle. I am thirsty all the time so I drink all the time and then I pee all the time.  Sigh.

Best Moment Last Week? A low key week and weekend with my family.  

Movement?Yes! Yes! Yes! I am so excited to be feeling him move constantly!  Kenny has even felt it already.  We are having a hard time getting Elle to sit still long enough to feel him and then she has such a small hand so it doesn't cover a whole lot of my belly so its going to have to be perfect timing.

Food cravings? Cold things and oh my goodness sweets! I am not a sweets eater and every night I get into bed and want candy! I have also been craving chocolate pudding.  Cold and sweet!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? None. But I am OVER the progesterone shots.  Last weeks made me so sore I am just now feeling better.  Just in time to get another one.  I am going to beg them to skip this week because it will kill me traveling on a plane and I don't want to hurt and limp the entire trip.  That really is how miserable they are making me.  Call me a baby I don't care!

Belly button in/out? In and hoping it stays in. It never came out with Elle.

What I miss? Not missing too much right now.  I wish I could work out harder and keep my strength.  I am trying but just feel like it is harder and harder for me to do the simplest things in the gym.

What I am looking forward to? I am looking forward to our anatomy scan on Friday.  I am growing anxious about it and hoping that he will get a perfect report. Then I am excited to spend some grown up time with Kenny on a little mini vacay!  

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  Nothing that stands out too much this week.  We did see my doctor, Dr. Fyke at a birthday this weekend and I introduced Elle to her and explained that she was Walker's doctor and would help Walker come.  Then we saw her again at the pool the next day and Elle was so excited to see"Walker's doctor."  

HOT HOT JULY WEEKEND

This great but very hot weekend got off to a great start when I attended the Junior Auxiliary Provisional tea with so many of my new friends here in Starkville.  I will begin my Provisional year with lots of sweet girls that I have gotten to  know over this past year that we have lived in Starkville.  

Hooray for volunteering with friends!

Saturday morning we went to one of my sweet friend, Lindsey's little girl's birthday party.  They had it at their house and had lots of pools and slip and slides set up.  The kids had a great time.  I was hot hot hot but it was totally worth it because Elle had so much fun!

Anna Claire, Elle and Abigail going down the side.

Blowing out the candles.

I cherish this picture with friends, all of our children and most of them looking at the camera.

Enjoying a melted Hershey kiss.

After the party Elle and I ran some errands.  She is just so fun to be with these days.  I enjoy talking to her and she makes me laugh almost every minute we are together. This was the first time she asked to ride in one of these humungo carts.  So of course I had to snap a picture that I of course sent to my mom and sister.  And then we all group texted about how old she looks.  Where did her baby face go! I want to cry!

Big girl!

The rest of the weekend was spent cooking out with friends, visiting a new church and then lunch with friends, pool time and relaxing.  Sunday night after hearing one of our friends talk about it we decided to revisit China Garden.  It is a Chinese buffet here in Starkville that Kenny and I used to eat at all the time in college.  We have not been back since college but thought it sounded good and might be fun to take Elle. It was still pretty good and Elle had fun listening to our memories and trying new foods.

Enjoying the buffets ice cream selection.

18 WEEK BABY UPDATE

18 WEEKS 

Another week done! I am really starting to feel so much better and have so much of my energy back.  So the weeks are starting to go by faster.

How far along 18 weeks exactly today.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a sweet potato.

Total weight gain/loss? I think I am around 8-9 pounds.  Still working out and still trying to get more cardio in.

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  Running out of options and currently stressing about what to wear on this upcoming Las Vegas trip we have planned.  I have a few non-maternity things that are still working that I hope still work in two weeks that I can take and then I recently found out about a cute online boutique that has some really cute things for some great prices. So might snag a few things from there and pray they work!

Stretch Marks- None. Still need to start lotioning up though!

Sleep? Sleep is okay. Getting more and more uncomfortable with my belly and I think it is time to bite the bullet and buy the most wonderful and expensive pillow ever. The Snoogle. Oh how I love that pillow! And I am in desperate need of one at this point.  I am also waking up on average 3-4 times to pee which is annoying.

Best Moment Last Week?  Spending a wonderful Fourth of July with my family and starting to feel Walker move.  And seeing Walker on a sonogram.  Last week was a great week.

  

Movement?Yes! I can finally say I am for sure feeling him.  I love it! I have even felt a couple of movements outside of the belly so I am hoping Kenny can feel him soon.  He could now but he would have to have his hand on my belly for a very long time and that would be annoying for both of us.

Food cravings?  I have had some weird cravings.  I've been craving pizza with Catalina dressing.  I also had a craving for these little pizzas that we used to make on biscuit dough when we were younger.  Did yall ever do those?  And total proof that I am feeling better, I have had some coffee! The last two days coffee has actually sounded good to me!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? None. But had another progesterone shot yesterday and oh my goodness it hurt so incredibly much!

Belly button in/out? In and hoping it stays in. It never came out with Elle.

What I miss? I was missing a Fourth of July cocktail and the poolside cocktails this past weekend.

What I am looking forward to?  I am looking forward to a relaxing normal week with my family.  Not too much going on this week and weekend. Which is nice.

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  She said something really sweet this past weekend.  It was Saturday morning and she crawled into our bed like she does a lot of mornings and we were talking about the really fun Fourth party the night before.  She was laying her head on my chest/belly and I was asking her if Ray was her buddy.  The little boy from the party. And she said just out of the blue "No mommy. Ray is not my buddy.  Walker is my buddy." She then leaned over and hugged my belly and kissed it.  It was just so incredibly genuine and sweet and innocent.  I got teary eyed.  She is just so excited for Walker to be here.

A WONDERFUL FOURTH!

We just had the best Fourth of July weekend.  The weather was beautiful and cool and we spent every second we could outside.  We spent time with so many different friends and Elle went to bed super late every night and even slept late for her (like 7:45 AM people!) It was just a fabulous fabulous weekend!

On Friday, Kenny was out of town most of the day working with an account for their big sale in Jackson, MS.  So Elle and I had a lazy morning.  She helped me prep some things for the appetizer I was making for the party we were attending later and then we headed outside to play with our water table.  We played outside all morning! We ate our lunch outside and then came in for a rest before finishing up our food and getting showered and ready for the party.  Kenny got home in the afternoon to ride with us out to West Point.

Helping me mix the insides of the appetizers we were making for the party. She loves to help me cook!

 Having a picnic outside.

The party we were attending was hosted by our friends Margaret and Jay at her parents house in Old Waverly.  Old Waverly is a beautiful golf community in West Point which is about a 25-30 minute drive away.  So after a long fun day outside of course this happened....

 A little cat nap.

Once we arrived to the party Elle was a little slow to get going but eventually warmed up and made fast friends with our friends little boy named Ray.  We all enjoyed great food, great drinks and great company before heading out to the tee box right behind the house to watch a fantastic firework show put on by the golf course!  

 Enjoying the standard Fourth of July fair.

 Ray and Elle.  Ray did not want his picture taken.  Love the attitude!

 We actually managed to get a decent family photo!

 The older kids waiting for fireworks.

 Some of the girls at the party.

 At this point of the night we were taking so many pictures of Elle and Ray in case we needed them for their rehearsal dinner video.  They were being so adorable.

Saturday was spent with more friends at someones pool and then we cooked out with our friends Ava and Craig. On Sunday, Kenny played golf in the morning and then I went to see Fault in Our Stars with Margaret.  I read the book and didn't really think it was all that great but thought the movie was so great and cried through a good deal of it.

After the movie we met up with some friends at the pool for some late evening swimming. Summer has just been so fun.  Elle has loved living in our new neighborhood where so many of her friends live and being able to go to the pool or the park on a whim.  I feel the same! We are having a blast and I cannot believe we have only a month left before it is "back to school" time.

Elle and her closest friend Abigail after the pool.

After the pool we all decided to go to Mexican for dinner.  We decided to take one car and I was too afraid to drive Sarah's Yukon.  So we piled up in the Murano.  Kenny was in the back with all the kids.  

Tired babies and daddy watching Peter Pan.

We had a fun dinner with friends before tucking Elle into bed very late for the last night of the weekend.  This morning I asked Elle if she dreamed of pools, friends and Mexican food last night.  And she said "and fireworks!"  Sweet girl!

ITS OUR WEEKLY PICTURE ROUNDUP! WOOHOO!

This week was a great low key week.  Mornings spent at preschool or the pool and nice long leisurely afternoons of movies in our bed or the park on a cooler afternoon.

Tuesday morning I kept Elle out of preschool for her very first dentist appointment.  I was really worried that I put this off too long but I am so glad that I waited because she was actually kind of excited and I was able to reason with her and bribe her to do the things she asked.  She was also excited because she has seen some Curious George episode or book about the dentist and his funny chair.  She couldn't wait to climb up in it.  Now getting her to lay down was another story.  I ended up sitting up there with her legs draped over my lap.  I didn't mind!

She got a great report on her teeth! Cavity free and she was thrilled that her teeth looked like princess teeth after they cleaned them. (the dental tech's words)

Having a chat about how things were going to go down.

Getting her teeth tickled. The noise of that tool they use makes my mouth pucker and gives me shivers just hearing it!

Leaving the dentist office with all her goodies.  She was so good and was so happy with all her loot.  I took her to Chick Fil A for a mommy daughter date afterwards too.

We spent a long morning at the pool with friends one day and had a great time.  Elle is getting more confident in the water and she is loving the pool this summer.  We finished off the day with a ice cream before heading home for showers and movies.

She has discovered that the push up pops are her favorite out of the ice cream case.  She was totally wiped by this point and half away while she ate this.

And I just had to include this picture.  We had just finished family dinner and Elle was helping me clean up.  Kenny snapped this picture because she just looked so cute and grown up all at the same time!

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A FABULOUS 4TH OF JULY! WE WILL BE CELEBRATING WITH FRIENDS AND FIREWORKS! RECAP TO COME I AM SURE!

BUSY WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS

As I mentioned yesterday, our week was crazy last week.  I got home late Wednesday, we had preschool and Elle's little best friend Abigail's 3rd birthday party Thursday afternoon and then we left for Memphis for a long fun filled weekend on Friday.

Let's do a little photo recap shall we!

Abigail's sweet birthday was at our local pottery painting place.  Sarah had a great idea in just inviting a few little girls.  Big birthdays can be so overwhelming and I think all the little girls had a lot of fun.  Elle was thrilled because it literally was all her best friends from preschool. (minus two because they were sick)

I took a ton of pictures because with it being such a small town I feel like these pictures of all these little girls will be the ones in their senior videos.  It is strange to think that these kids will be together their entire school lives.  

The invitation asked for each girl to wear their favorite princess dress.  Elle chose her Cinderella dress because it plays music and lights up, naturally. 

Painting their princess tiles.  Elle's was quickly all one shade of gray.

They were having a blast even though they don't look like it.  Getting ready to have their hand prints done.

This place had a little playroom the kids could go play while the paint dried and while we got their plates of food ready.  Love this picture.  Miriam on the right, Abigail in the middle are two of Elle's favorite friends!

Elle and Abigail.

Enjoying some snacks.

Friday we headed to Memphis to stay with my sister and stayed very busy! Friday night, my sister kept Elle while Kenny and I went out for a nice dinner and then went to see the Book of Mormon.  I was so excited to finally see this play.  It was very good, very funny and very very raunchy.  Definitely not for the faint of heart.

Saturday morning we woke up and took Elle to breakfast at Blue Plate cafe and then let her hang out with my mom for  a while we ran some shopping errands.  Have to take advantage of good stores when we can!

Coloring at breakfast.

The weather in Memphis was really really terrible all weekend. Like stormed and stormed.  But that did not stop us from cooking out with our old crew at Mollie's house.  This was really the first time we have all been together in ages especially with all the kids. There were a lot of kids! They had a ball!

Sweet friends reunited.  Loftin and Elle have been friends since they were babies.

Playing a game of some sort.  Quiet for a quick moment.

Mack modeling some sunglasses.  Baby Charlie who will be 1 very soon in the background!

Enjoying some dinner. Loftin, Elle and Lizzie.

And some Popsicles.

The boys having some delicious dessert.

Sunday morning I was so happy to be able to meet my friend Susan for brunch and to go see her new studio space.  So excited for her business JPress Designs!  Then it was time to head to Loftin's 4th birthday fun.  Elle had so much fun and then we piled in the car to go home.  We got home late and were all wiped!

WEEK 16 AND 17 UPDATE

16 & 17 WEEKS

Last week was just pure craziness.  We were so insanely busy and I was at camp on my actual baby update day and then only in town one day out of the week so we are doing a update combo this time!

How far along 17 weeks exactly today.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a turnip. Last week he was an avocado.

Total weight gain/loss? I had a normal checkup last week and then had an unexpected doctors visit yesterday for some worrisome things that all turned out fine and well..... I think the weight gain has begun. I am really not sure exactly how much.  But I think I am around 5-7lbs.  This is WITH working out consistently.  Not exactly pleased with the gain but know it is part of it.  Time to kick up the cardio now that I am finally feeling up to it!

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  Although I am already sick of all of them.  Excited for fall so I can get some new seasonal things. I am extra pumped because I ventured into Lululemon just wondering if they might have some running crops that were different from the ones I already have and they did! They just came out with some that have a way bigger top panel that pulls over a preggy belly perfectly!  Plus I will be able to wear these after Walker comes!  So this was a special treat!

Stretch Marks- None but it just occurred to me that I need to start lotioning and Bio-Oiling.  

Sleep? Sleep is actually great! That clock is amazing! Elle is sleeping later and staying in her room until 7 on most days! This is a huge improvement.

Best Moment Last Week? Since we are doing two weeks I have a few.  One was hearing his nice strong heartbeat and starting my progesterone shots to keep him baking for as long as possible.  This week it was actually getting to see him and see how much he has grown so much and appears to be healthy.  We will have our anatomy scan in a few weeks and know  for sure! We also were able to confirm that he is indeed a boy yesterday.  We knew already for our Panorama results but it was still nice to see it.

The only picture of my son's you know what you will ever see! But had to include it!

  

Movement?.I would say last week I was still on the fence about whether I was feeling him or whether it was just tummy stuff but these last couple days I have started noticing it more and more.  I love love love it. This is my favorite part of pregnancy by far.  Can't wait for Elle and Kenny to be able to feel it too!

Food cravings?  Not a whole lot that I can think of besides cold cold fruit.  The colder the better.  I will say my appetite is getting better.  I have actually managed to get some chicken down.

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? None. But started my progesterone shots last week and will get one weekly until late into my third trimester.

Belly button in/out? In and hoping it stays in. It never came out with Elle.

What I miss? Being able to breath and work out really hard.  I have lost a lot of my stamina and strength and I want to stay strong through this pregnancy in hopes of rebounding after delivery really quickly.

What I am looking forward to?  I am already looking forward to the anatomy scan and also having Elle and Kenny feel walker kick.  I am also looking forward to spending the Fourth of July with friends!

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker:  Can't recall anything in particular but she is very excited about anything having to do with him.  Kenny put our crib together while I was at camp and she was so excited to show it to me! She also tells everyone she is going to have a little brother.  Which I appreciate because I am in that stage of pregnancy where people are scared to say anything in fear of them being wrong and I am just pudgy!