25 WEEK UPDATE

How far along 25 Weeks and 1 Day.  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a ear of eggplant.  He is 9 inches long and weighs 1.7lbs.

Total weight gain/loss? Welp.  I think we are looking at around 20-22lbs.  Yikes! I know the caramel cake Kenny brought me last week and the delicious strawberry cake my friends got me for my birthday sure didn't help but I sure did enjoy them.  And I can say I am officially over my cake craving!

Maternity Clothes? Yes.  Hit up Target for a few new workout tops that I can workout in.  I just feel so frumpy if I wear a tshirt. 

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep? Sleep has been downright terrible! Elle is not sleeping through the night! My three almost four year old IS NOT SLEEPING THROUGH THE NIGHT! She wakes up and just wants me to come see her/rub her tummy/give her a kiss and a hug.  And I will honest there is just something about night time or the middle of the night that I don't want to yell at her or be stern.  I think it goes back to her being a baby and they tell you to make sure your baby knows that you are there for them if they need you.  I don't want her to feel like I am not there for her.  Contemplating a sticker chart or some kind of reward system because we have to nip this in the bud before Walker comes!  

Best Moment Last Week?  Getting a lot of stuff checked off the list for the house and the nursery.  The nursery is sort of kind of starting to come together.  It is still has a loooong way to go but starting to get some of the bigger stuff done.  

Movement? Lots of movement and I can tell he has gotten bigger because the kicks are so much harder and I can feel them a lot higher now.

Food cravings? Not really having too many cravings this week because we literally just finished off the cakes and I had a whole lot of cake!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? No labor signs. As the weeks tick by it is great to know viability is getting better.

Belly button in/out? In but getting shallower and shallower.

What I miss? Not missing a whole lot right now.  I will say that this heat is miserable and I just dread going outside or doing anything outside.  But it is hot to everyone not just me.  

What I am looking forward to?I am so looking forward to our first football this weekend against my hometown's college USM! It is going to be hot but so fun! And I am also looking forward to spending a morning at the spa tomorrow.  Kenny got me a 90 minute prenatal massage and a pedicure at the day spa here for my birthday!  

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker: Hmmm....no funny stories but we have been watching these cartoons on PBS, Daniel Tiger and they are doing a whole week where he gets a baby sister.  His mom is pregnant and they go to the hospital and then once the baby comes they address how things are different in his family.  Elle loves them and we have enjoyed watching them together.

WEEKEND UPDATE

This past weekend Elle and I met Kenny in Hattiesburg so that I run a whole lot of errands, get my hair done and so that Elle could see her CeCe. It was a really quick trip as we arrived late afternoon ran the bulk of our errands then hair appointment Saturday morning, more errands and drove home that afternoon so we could be back for church and other fun things on Sunday.

I was so happy to get so many things checked off my to-do list.  A lot of it was house stuff and nursery stuff.  Elle was so happy to get to play and hang out with CeCe.

We have this big box of costume jewelery at CeCe's house from my grandmother and Elle loves loves loves putting it all on and playing dress up! The funniest is when she puts on the clip on earrings.

Taking a stroll in all her jewelry and a pretty scary Madame Alexander doll that was mine when I was little.

And the ultimate highlight of going to CeCe's...playing with the cat! Elle wants a kitty so bad!

Sunday afternoon I had a Young Life Committee dinner so Kenny took Elle on a daddy daughter date to Fan Day at the Davis Wade Stadium.  They had an absolute blast.  This was the first time the fans were given access to the new horseshoed stadium and Elle was so excited to be able to run up and down the field over and over even though it was crazy hot! She wasn't too keen on standing in the really long lines to meet the players and coaches.  I told Kenny he has plenty of time to do that with Walker.  But she was psyched to get her face painted and to see Bully and the real life real dog Bully.

Barefoot in the beautiful grass of Bulldog country.

Getting a Mississippi State tattoo.  This was her first non permanent tattoo.  I don't really love tattoos even fake ones on children but I can make exceptions for a Mississippi State one! She gets so serious when it comes to face painting.

Having fun on the jumpy.

Relaxing at home eating some pizza before conking out from a great night with Daddy.

Elle was asleep when I got home.  At 4 AM I feel this tiny cold hand touch my bare leg.  Then I hear Elle's voice "Mommy! See my sticker!"  Her sticker being her face tattoo that she was sleeping in.  She then went on to tell me all about Fan Day and how much fun she had at 4 AM! Sweet girl! I let her tell me.  She was just happy and excited.  Then I knew there was no way she was going back to her bed.  So into our bed she went and she did go back to sleep.  And I never got back to sleep.  I ended up just getting up and getting to the gym around 5:30 so that I could do cardio before meeting with my trainer.

Elle had preschool Monday morning but I just didn't have the heart to wash that sweet tattoo off her face.  So she was thrilled to wear it to school.  I told her she had to let me wash it off during her bath before ballet class though.  She was cool with that after we promised her she would be getting a new one for actual game day in a few days.

Raising her right as a Bulldog!

24 WEEK UPDATE

The mirror selfie.  Kim Kardashian I am not.  I do not understand how people take these things and look anywhere close to decent.  Oh well.  My friend was requesting a belly selfie and for the sake of documenting here we are.  Unwashed hair, day old make up and a maternity top that I had from when I was pregnant with Elle. Getting bigger though!  So glamorous!

It takes everything I have to look up from the phone while I snap the picture so they all look like this!

Okay I looked up so we will add this one to the post too!

How far along 24 weeks exactly!  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a ear of corn.  He is 8.5 inches long and weighs 1.5lbs.

Total weight gain/loss? Last time at the doctor I want to say I was actually closer to 13 but I still consider myself around 15 lbs gained.  I think I was having a light moment.  I don't know.  I know the weight is coming on though.  Can see it in my face and my legs.

Maternity Clothes? Yes! Just made a fall order.  I have scheduled a fall mini session with a photographer for September.  I wanted to get a few pictures of us as a family and then try and get some good ones of Elle just in case things just get bonkers in November and December and I need one to use for our Christmas card.  No maternity photo shoots for me but I am hoping I won't be too huge by next month for a few family photos.  We will see.  Anyway I ordered some tops that I am hoping I can wear with jeans that might look cute in pictures.  Along with some maroon tops for games.  Thank goodness "burgundy" is still kind of in.  In enough it is still around in maternity clothes!

Stretch Marks- No. No stretch marks.

Sleep? Sleep hasn't been great.  Some of it is that my three and a half year old does not sleep through the night consistently! Is this normal?  I would say we/I am up at least two times a week with her.  I do my best to break the habits and to show her that she isn't going to get her way at 2:00 AM and she is crying because she wants mommy to lay down with her.  But that still doesn't stop it from happening. Not to mention a certain someones snoring has picked up lately.  So yea.  Sleep hasn't been great this week.

Best Moment Last Week?  Celebrating my birthday as a family. Watching Elle roller skate for the first time.  Getting to see a movie I wanted to see on opening weekend. Hearing Walker's strong heartbeat at my monthly doctors appointment.

Movement? Still so much movement. He moves constantly.  I feel like with Elle she would move in bursts for a period of time.  With Walker I feel like he moves constantly.  And I notice him moving even when I am up moving around or I am busy.

Food cravings? Sweets. Sweets. Sweets. Particularly this last few days. Cake! Elle's friend Miriam had the best birthday cake I have EVER had on Saturday and I was practically giddy with how delicious it was. I have also been craving caramel cake.  I had a piece last night that was so good! Cake!!!

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? No labor signs.  I have a few painful-ish Braxton Hicks but still no soreness from my progesterone shots.  So that is great!

Belly button in/out? In but getting shallower and shallower.

What I miss? Being able to move the way I need to.  I told Kenny yesterday.  Already having children requires you to be constantly bending over to pick things up or crouching to help them get dressed or in out of a bathtub.  And I have just reach the point where that kind of stuff has gotten hard and I am always breathing heavy!

What I am looking forward to?I We have a couple dinners with friends planned for this week and Elle also has her first gymnastics class on Thursday.  I am sure you will be getting an update on that.  And I am hoping to get some house projects crossed off the list this weekend along with a haircut and highlight! 

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker: Kenny was all up in arms the other day because Elle was saying she had a baby in her tummy.  A girl. Named Sissy.  I told him that was completely normal behavior to pretend when your mommy is pregnant and even a little boy would pretend that.  So simmer down silly Kenny!!

MY BIRTHDAY WEEKEND I.E. ELLE GOES ROLLER SKATING

This Saturday was my birthday.  I have never been huge into birthdays but I was happy to have Kenny come home from market on Friday and then go to dinner with one of my very dear friends, Tracy to celebrate. Tracy and I went to a newish restaurant in Starkville called Commodore Bobs.  We came home completely stuffed, watched some HGTV while we chatted and went to bed.

Saturday morning I was so excited to take Tracy to my favorite brunch place Restaurant Tyler.  But we rolled up and it was closed.  So we went and had breakfast at the Grill before coming home to hang out a little bit before Tracy had to leave.  I would of loved to have Tracy stay all weekend but we had two back to back birthday parties for Elle's good friends that afternoon.  

 Before Tracy left Elle asked her to braid her hair in pigtails! She was so excited! And I am going to have to start practicing doing them.  They looked so cute on her!

The first birthday party we attended was for Elle's good friend Miriam at the gymnastics gym.  We go to a lot of birthday parties there and Elle loves it!

Cake and ice cream with our sweet friend Kate.

After Miriam's birthday party we swung by the house to grab Kenny for our friend Anna Claire's birthday party at the skating rink.  After having been at one birthday party I needed parenting reinforcement plus we have never been rollerskating before so thought it would be nice to have Kenny there for the milestone and for the help!

Elle was so excited to go rollerskating. Have to be honest but I had my doubts on how we do. Especially with being a little worn out from the previous birthday party.  But she loved it! The wheels were pretty tight on her skates and they have these great walker things at this roller rink that really help. All the parents were talking about how we didn't have those when were little.  Just had to death grip the side. By the end Elle was out on the floor without a walker.  She told us as soon as we got back in the car how much fun she had and how she couldn't wait to go back.  Total success! It was a great afternoon and seeing her have so much fun with her friends and getting to visit with our friends too made for a great and tiring birthday afternoon.

 Tying up the skates!

Quick picture with Mommy before we set out.

And we are off-with the help with the walker.

Getting some tips from Daddy.

Feeling brave and sans walker.

Family pic.  All looking a little tired fro all the fun.

 Pizza time! Love the wall decor at the skating rink!

Like I said it was  great afternoon!  After the parties we grabbed some sushi to go and watched a movie once we got Elle to bed.  Kenny also gave me a gift certificate to the spa here for a massage and pedicure and I can't wait to enjoy that. Sunday morning we planed to go church but Elle had a little bit of croupy cough so we stayed home and Kenny went out to the golf course  Then I went to see The Giver with a friend that afternoon.  I loved the movie.  The Giver is my favorite book of all time and I thought the movie did a good job.

And I just have to include this last picture!  I was so sick and tired of having to sweep every day and our floors still being filthy so I made the decision to shave Lena.  Kenny was so not happy with the results.  I, however am already noticing a difference in our floors.  Time will tell if we will start to keep her coat shorter permanently.

Lena sporting her new haircut.

IT'S OUR WEEKLY PICTURE ROUNDUP

This week just flew by and that was with Kenny at market.  That is hard to believe.  It is amazing how much easier it is to single parent when you aren't on your death bed.  

I am going to go ahead and apologize in advance for the amount that I gush in this blog post.  It has been a great week with Elle.  I am not sure if it is school starting (Mommy is getting a break) or some beautiful weather or what but I have just been in complete adoration of Elle (more than normal) this week.  I am watching her grow and get to do new things.  I am watching her friendships grow stronger and I am watching her turn into a little girl and not a baby. Okay maybe that part is a little hard but I am in total awe of her beauty and her personality.  Every parent feels this way about their child but I just need to say how much I love her and adore her!

To kick off the week we had our dance class! Our best friend Abigail was there this week and these girls.  Yall.  My heart wanted to explode they were being so sweet and cute and were so excited for dance class.

We had asked them to take a picture and they were getting into position but turned the wrong way.  Their little hands starting to squeeze in for a typical girl pic.  Aaaah!

Alright girls.  Now we are turned the right way.

I had a JA Provisional meeting so Kenny did pick up from dance class.They stopped to get some to go food and Kenny sent me the cutest pictures of Elle practicing her dance moves while they waited.

This picture has no story other than these past few mornings I have just been so in love with her and how beautiful I think she is.  One morning I just started taking pictures trying to capture it.

Wednesday afternoon the weather was cool, windy and beautiful so a quick group text had us all at the Country Club park to let the kids (mostly all girls) play and let the mommy's hang out!  We all had a great time.  I have decided I would be the happiest girl int he world if the temperature never got above 85.  Too bad it is supposed to get hot again this weekend.

Look at all these precious girls! I adore them and their Moms!

My friend Kelly and her two girls Brooklyn and Caroline rode over to the park with us on our golf cart . So we stopped and got ice cream on our way home from the pro shop.  Ruined their dinner but that is what a childhood is for!

Yesterday was equally amazing weather wise so we spent our one morning without school or an activity leisurely eating breakfast and then playing outside. I pulled out the very popular water table.  I promise she loves this thing 10 times more than she ever loved it as a toddler.

Isn't she just so cute and full of joy! See told you I was going to gush! Blame it on my hormones!

After soaking her dress immediately we changed into our bathing suit.  Please look at all that attitude.

For lunch we went and grabbed some Chick Fil A and ate it out on the patio.  Elle and Lena had a moment.  Goodness Lena is looking so old!

Alright I know this was a sappy gushy overly obsessed post.  But we had a great week and I am so in love with my family!  Looking forward to a great weekend celebrating my birthday and celebrating Elle's friends birthdays.  We should be nice and worn out by the end of it!

23 WEEK UPDATE

These two pictures don't really have anything to do with this baby update other than I was pregnant and present in or while these pictures were taken. Kenny and his friends played in a golf tournament this past weekend so we were busy all weekend with different events centered around that.  We all had a lot of fun!

 Friday night we went to the country club for dinner and a putting contest.  Elle wanted to sit with Mr. Jay and Mrs. Margaret but the sun was in her eyes.

  Saturday night was a steak dinner with door prizes, a draw down and a band.  Dinner with friends made for a great night!

How far along 23 weeks exactly!  My What to Expect App says Walker is the size of a Papaya.  8 inches 1.2lbs.

Total weight gain/loss? I am still around 15lbs gained but I feel like the pounds are about to start coming on and I can tell in pictures and in the mirror that my body has changed.  Normal but always a little hard.

Maternity Clothes? Yes! Getting excited to buy some fall things though.  I have completely outgrown all of my work out clothes and have resorted to wearing Kenny's tshirts to the gym a few times which makes me feel totally frumpy and unmotivated.

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

Sleep? Sleep has been okay.  I can't believe that I STILL have not bought a snoogle!  I also started this week getting to the gym to work out with my trainer at 6.  So that makes for an early mornings but I do love the endorphin boost I get and that I get that hour and a half back of my precious PDO time!

Best Moment Last Week?  Kenny and Elle spent an entire afternoon together and Elle just loves spending that one on one with him.  We also had a great time doing all the golf tournament activities with Kenny.

Movement? Lots and lots of movement.  Last night I got worried because I could not remember the last time I felt Walker move so I started moving my tummy around trying to wake him up. He didn't really wake up but he was kicking a whole lot this morning so all is well.

Food cravings? Major sweet tooth! It is so surprising to me.  For instance at that steak dinner Saturday night all the food was delicious but I was absolutely devastated that there was ZERO dessert.  They had salad, and garlic bread and loaded baked potatoes and huge steaks! But NO DESSERT!!  I cannot eat anything without eating a sweet at the end!  

Gender? It's a boy! Kenneth Walker.

Labor Signs? None but I have had some painful Braxton Hicks and have noticed that I am getting more of them if I am up and on my feet more that I should be.  But I am thrilled to say that my new best friend Yolanda at the OBGyn's office does the best shots ever.  Like seriously.  The last two weeks my shot spot has not hurt at all.  Compared to barely being able to move from the shots I am so happy!!

Belly button in/out? In.  But oh my lord I am getting scared.  By the end of the day it is getting closer and closer to being out!

What I miss? I know this is similar to what I said last week but I was majorly missing having a drink at that dinner on Saturday night. And I miss being able to crouch and bend over to do things for Elle.  It is getting harder and harder.

What I am looking forward to? I am looking forward to my monthly doctors appointment on Friday.  I totally flaked out and no showed for my originally scheduled appointment this morning! I am so embarrassed! That is so unlike me! My friend Courtney is an nurse at my doctor's office and texted me asking if I knew I had an appointment this morning! Oops!! I am kicking myself!  I am also looking forward to one of my best friends, Tracy coming in town for a night to celebrate my birthday and celebrating with Kenny and Elle.  The actual day of my birthday we will spend at two of Elle's best friends birthday parties but it will be fun!

Funny things Elle has said this week about Walker: She is excited because I explained to her that Walker can now hear our voices and words.  So she talks about how he can hear her and talks to him a lot.  It is really sweet.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2014

Last Wednesday Elle started a new school year. She is in Three Year Old Preschool three mornings a week.  Mrs. Valerie is her teacher and she is in the bear class.  We have moved to the downstairs portion of the preschool meaning she is an official big kid as far as this preschool goes.  The day before we went and met Mrs. Valerie and saw the new room.  Elle is so excited because her new class has a fish tank in it.  We might need to get her a pet fish for the house.  

After we got ready in our new back to school dress it was out to the porch for some pictures.  I love seeing every one's back to school pictures but I personally like to take these pictures to compare them to the last day of school pictures to see how much they change.  It is nice because Elle has really started to cooperate when it comes to picture taking lately.

Her is the part of the blog post where I gush about how big she has gotten.  My little baby girl is completely gone and she is a little girl now.  Her face has grown up and she is getting taller and leaner. Her personality changes day by day and she keeps us on her toes.  I tell her several times a day how much I truly adore her. Kenny and I talk constantly of how much fun she is.  

All ready for her first day of Three Year Old Preschool.

Had to get in some of her new ballet moves.  Of course.

Cheese!

Love you so incredibly much Elle!  Can't wait for a great school year!