Luke's 9 Month Update

Ok, so I feel like a big slacker and a terrible Mommy! I'm sorry Luke, I haven't written an update on you in FOUR months. You turned 9 months today and I figured I better get an update written before you turn a year old! (Annnd now two weeks later I am finally getting around to post this...)

In my defense, our family has had a few changes since I last posted. We are expecting Baby #2 in July! This comes as quite a shock (and is still sinking in even though we are over halfway there now)! Luke and Baby #2 will be almost exactly 13 months apart... and before y'all start asking: Yes, we know how babies are made and No, we were not trying/planning. God has blessed us with being fertile--there's no arguing there!

Because of Baby #2 on the way, David and I made the decision to stay at home full time with Luke. I really wanted to soak up this time with my baby before the next one comes, and I knew I wasn't going to work at all once we had two children. It has been an adjustment spending all day with a little one but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Weight: 19.3 lbs

Length: 28 inches

Diaper Size: Size 3, just about to graduate into size 4

Clothing Size: 9 - 12 month clothes

Nicknames: Booger Boo, Lukey Pookey

Health: He is currently happy and healthy! We had a few weeks of yucky congestion, ear infection, and teething all at the same time, which makes for a miserable baby and mommy.

Sleep: We were doing SO well for so long...then Luke decided he wanted to wake up three times a night again. I think we are getting back to that good sleeping from 8:00/9:00 PM to 6:30/7:00 AM. **Fingers Crossed**

Diet: Luke is a master at eating baby food now, and we try to feed him one or two meals a day. He has discovered the Gerber Puffs and Fruit Melts and loves them! We are still having about 3 or 4 bottles a day as well.

Loves: Luke loves CRAWLING (peg leg style) and pulling up and creeping around on ANYTHING in sight. Gone are the days of Mommy relaxing on the couch while he plays on the floor! Luke also loves food, any music, Baby Einstein videos, going on walks (heck, anything outside), watching the ceiling fan, singing. 

Dislikes: Being sleepy, being held "like a baby", being put down for naps

Other Random Things:   
Luke has learned how to clap when we say "YAY!". I'm a little biased but it's pretty darn cute.
He likes to jabber at you -- when he is upset, the jabbering gets pretty intense and its hard not to laugh at him!
Luke only has one tooth so far...just waiting for the second one on bottom to come through..
We have been swapping Luke's (and Baby #2's) nursery with my former office... lots of shuffling around, painting (again!)  and ordering another crib. So surreal still!

This boy has my heart!!

Throwback Thursday: Maternity Photos

I have a minute to sit down while Tiny Tot is napping to post some of our favorite photos from our maternity shoot.

We used Jules of Jules Photo & Design and LOVED her! She is the sweetest and we had a great time with her. I would highly recommend her for any of your photography needs. She also did newborn photos with Luke and is like the "baby whisperer".

We went to Lakeside Park in Highland Park, which was the same place I did my bridal portraits, and it is just a gorgeous setting. Enjoy!

38 Week Update

How far along? 38 Weeks, 4 Days! SO CLOSE!

Size: A Leek or a PUMPKIN. I believe that... I feel like I accidentally swallowed a pumpkin seed in October and its been growing since then! ;)

We had our 36 week sonogram a week and a half ago and they estimated this kiddo to be 6 lbs 11 oz! ALREADY! Our little guy is not so little... Typically the last month the baby is supposed to grow a half pound every week, so Luke is already over 7 lbs if the sonogram/dr is accurate.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm pregnant. I've put on weight...I get it. Let's not go into any more details. ;)

Maternity Clothes? Yep. I'm sorry I am an outfit repeater. There's only a few things that are comfortable and fit me!

Stretch Marks? I swear, every time I look at my belly I get more.

Sleep?  I am getting up quite frequently and when I fall back asleep, I am having some crazy dreams. The other night my dream involved going into labor and my parents had to give me a ride to the hospital (no clue where David was...) then when I got into the delivery room, there was a whole group of people sitting in there, just waiting and watching! Not the most pleasant dream! haha

Best moment this week: I am to the point where I am taking this pregnancy day by day. If I can get out of bed (aka roll/fall then limp/waddle), and get pants on, I would say that day is successful. We also got our maternity photos back! Will post soon...

Movement: Still going strong.. more painful too.

Food Cravings: I have been making smores a lot.. and experimenting with different toppings. My favorite so far has been adding my vanilla almond butter on top of my marshmallow and chocolate. So good! I've also been eating a lot of pineapple and been craving Bahama Buck's. :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Yep.

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: More Braxton Hicks, Dr. measured me at 3 cm dilated last Friday. It could happen at any time now... I need just a few more days to get everything in order!

Belly Button in or out? I am still an Innie! Y'all don't know how happy this makes me. haha

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or moody most of the time? Still happy.

Looking Forward to: This kiddo just getting here! I'm ready to meet and love on him!

35 Week Update

How far along? 35 Weeks, 4 Days (31 Days Left!) Officially ONE month left, people!

Size: A Coconut...estimating between 17.2-18.7 inches and 4.2-5.8 lbs.

Total weight gain/loss: Eekks its close to 20 lbs now!

Maternity Clothes? Yes, went out and got a few more tank tops and summery clothes to get me through this last month (and then maybe a few months after that!)

Stretch Marks? Ugh, yes. I look like a freaking zebra.

Sleep?  It definitely could be much worse, I am still getting up frequently but I am able to go back to sleep pretty fast once I get comfortable. The whole getting comfortable thing is getting a little more difficult now!

Best moment this week: I was able to get some rest this weekend while David did the "Tough Mudder" race outside of Bastrop. I set up our diaper changing station in our room and I was also able to get brunch with one of my oldest friends from high school!

We didn't even plan to match!

Movement: Still moving like crazy. He REALLY likes getting up underneath my ribs and PUSHING. He has also been getting the hiccups pretty frequently too.

Food Cravings: I have been eating a lot of Popsicle lately. Especially the Outshine Coconut and Strawberry flavors. I also had a smoothie from Smoothie King earlier this week and I have been dying to get another one since then. Sadly, I looked up the amount of sugar in the one I got earlier this week (I think it was the Pineapple Surf... SO GOOD), but I will likely never get that again! Not the best option, that's for sure!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Do I even need to continue answering this question??

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Been getting more Braxton Hicks I think and some sharp pains in my groin area (TMI I know)... I think Luke just likes kicking nerves or something.

Belly Button in or out? Still in! :)

Wedding rings on or off? On. Since I work from home, I don't wear them unless I'm going out, but they are still fitting!

Happy or moody most of the time? Still happy. Getting more anxious about this whole labor thing.

Looking Forward to: My next doctor's appointment is tomorrow, however I wouldn't say I'm truly looking forward to it because they are going to be testing me for Strep B. Next Friday is when our next sonogram is scheduled and I am SO excited to see how this little guy looks! It has felt like an eternity since we have been able to see him on the screen.

Showered with Love

Whew! We are wrapping up the month of April and a whirlwind of baby showers. We have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and excitement for this sweet baby boy! David and I are so thankful for everything!!

Our first shower was hosted by our sweet family friends and was absolutely precious! I had a great time catching up with so many sweet ladies.

Luke's Grandmothers!

The Lovely Hostesses! 

Best Friends since 7th Grade

The Walker Ladies

Our next shower was at David's Aunt and Uncle's House and we spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful weather and laughing with our families.

Missing Mariah :(

Luke's Great-Great Granny! She's almost 101 and incredible!

The Grandpas!

Huge thank you to my amazing mother-in-law for documenting these two showers!

Our final two showers were with our companies and we had a great time. My company's shower was at my boss' house and his wife just outdid herself with the decor. It was a great afternoon with beautiful weather  (we have had so much rain lately and lucked out!) and we were able to spend some time with friends and co-workers that we haven't seen in a long time - some since we moved back to DFW! David's company shower was so sweet and it was the first time meeting a lot of his coworkers and I know why David enjoys his job so much. Truly, we are both blessed being able to work for such wonderful companies with great atmospheres.

In LOVE with the cake! It was delicious too!

Diaper Cake!

Baby Shower Selfie - David has a "Dad to Be" Medal

I was terrible and didn't get around to taking pics until the shower was just about to wrap up!

I always forget to take pictures with the people that attend and I am kicking myself that we didn't get any with anyone for the last two showers! I just need my paparazzi to follow me around, I guess ;)


Baby Luke is one lucky boy and I am so excited for him to be here. I am shocked how fast April flew by and we are close to being just five short weeks to meeting this little guy...Although he isn't feeling very little anymore! It feels like his movements are getting much stronger and he really enjoys stretching right underneath my ribs. He also isn't a fan of the hiccups so when he gets them, I can tell he gets a little angry.

We have officially graduated from our Prepared Childbirth class and I can officially say I am still kinda dreading this whole labor and delivery thing, but I know it will all be worth it in the end!

33 Week Update

How far along? 33 Weeks, 1 Day (48 Days Left!)

Size: A Durian? I have never heard of it before. But my "Bump" app says between 17.2 and 18.7 inches long and between 4.2 and 5.8 lbs. Yikes he's getting big!

Total weight gain/loss: I can honestly say that I have avoided the scale by all costs.

Maternity Clothes? Yep.

Stretch Marks? Ugh, yes. I was thinking I was going to get through this whole pregnancy without any stretch marks and in the past week and a half they have just been popping up. It's a pretty touchy subject!

Sleep?  Dreams have become a little more frequent, same with bathroom breaks. Every 2 hours like clockwork. Getting out of bed is getting difficult, especially because of ligament pains in my legs :(

Best moment this week: The past two weekends we have had baby showers and they have both been so incredibly special! Luke is one lucky boy with a whole lot of people that love him already!

Movement: Still seems like he never stops moving. He gets especially active right around the time I want to go to sleep.

Food Cravings: I have been really wanting fruit lately, especially the fruit cups from Jason's Deli with the fruit dip. So good!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Do I even need to continue answering this question??

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nope, I think I have been getting a few Braxton Hicks contractions but I could be imagining them too.

Belly Button in or out? Still hanging on with an innie!!

Wedding rings on or off? On, but getting a little more snug... not sure if that is the weather to blame or I'm just starting to get some swelling. My feet were definitely swollen yesterday.

Happy or moody most of the time? Still happy for the most part!

Looking Forward to: Our next childbirthing class is tonight, not sure I'm truly looking forward to it, but we have already discussed non-medicated pain relief techniques. Tonight we should be talking about the meds! haha My next doctor's appointment is on Friday, another baby shower is on Saturday, and maternity photos are on Sunday! We have just been so busy lately and I can't believe we are over halfway through April!

Baby laundry is much more entertaining than our laundry!

54 Days.

First off, the blog got a makeover! Thank you to DesignerBlogs.com for the new look! If you are in the market for a new blog design, I would highly recommend you check them out. They have some pretty beautiful layouts to choose from.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My lovely countdown app on my phone reminds me how many days I have left being a host to the little alien/baby growing inside me. 54 days.

54 days left feeling this baby move, kick, hiccup and stretch. It is probably the coolest feeling I have ever felt...until he decides he's comfortable right up underneath my rib cage, which is becoming more frequent these days!

54 days of bathroom breaks every 2 hours, night and day. I know I need to cherish the "alone time" in the bathroom because its only a matter of time until I have a shadow at all times.

54 days left of it being just the two of us. 54 nights of quiet dinners, cuddling on the couch watching our favorite shows, and going to sleep whenever we're tired.

54 days left until we meet our "little man", our new best friend, our little sidekick!

7.5 weeks left.

7 weekends left.

6 (likely) Doctor's visits left.

3 Baby Showers left.

2 Childbirthing Classes left.

1 Maternity Photo Session left.

We are officially in the home stretch and I am trying to soak up and enjoy every moment of it.  It is difficult to stay in the moment when all I want to do is imagine this baby in my arms.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This little guy is continuing to grow and I don't know how much bigger he's going to get! Just when I think I have reached my limit, I wake up the next morning and I look even bigger!

32 Weeks!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Finally, we are announcing the name of our little one... Drumroll please!

David and I both loved the name Luke right from the beginning when we were throwing names around. It is biblical, classic and easy to spell! We toyed with the idea of Lucas and then using Luke as a nickname, but the more we thought about it, we decided for simplicity, to just go with Luke.

Jeremy honors a special family member that is now with Jesus in Heaven and we know that he is going to be looking over our son as he grows.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later this week I am planning on posting on our first baby shower for Luke! It was a beautiful celebration of this new life and I am still on cloud nine thinking about how special it all was! Until then... have a great week!

31 Week Update

31 Weeks on Easter Sunday

How far along? 31 Weeks, 2 Days

Size: Pineapple. YUM!


Total weight gain/loss: Don't ask...

Maternity Clothes? Yep. Still wearing things that were pretty baggy pre-baby.

Stretch Marks? Maybe one or two...

Sleep?  Still sleeping pretty well. Every couple of hours I have to wake up and literally roll/waddle out of bed for the bathroom. Also, I've still had fairly normal dreams, if I remember them at all.

Best moment this week: LOTS of family time! Spent Friday night chilling at my parent's house, Saturday was baby shower/gender reveal for two of David's cousins (so fun!), and on Sunday we celebrated Easter with a wonderful Easter Service at church with our families and enjoyed lunch with David's (almost) 101 year old Granny.

Granny with the Expecting Mothers!

Movement: Constant. He's started getting the hiccups every now and then too.

Food Cravings: Back to oranges... I'm going to have to make a run to the grocery store to get some!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Absolutely

Gender: Boy!

Labor signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? Still in...hoping I can make it 9 more weeks without it popping out! haha

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Still happy for the most part!

Looking Forward to: Baby Showers! We have also signed up for a childbirth class through the hospital.

A Few other things...

I was just sitting working earlier today and looked down to see my belly was lopsided! This was the first time that has happened and it was just so strange to see!

Bluebonnets at the Ranch. I just love this time of year in Texas! Spring is just so beautiful.

This isn't an "Official" Weekly Pic, but this was 30 weeks. We were in Bryan working on the house getting it ready to sell and I just snapped this while taking pictures of each room for insurance/record keeping purposes.

David got to try on our Easter gift from his parents...a Baby Bjorn! He is just such a cutie (I'm biased, I know) and I can't wait to see him with our son. He is going to be such a fun Daddy!