Major Reid Thomas has arrived !

After waking at 6:00 am this morning with what seemed like bad cramps( but turned out to be contractions-yes it's my third you would think I would know by now but every pregnancy and labor is different-don't judge:), I decided to time them and they were coming about 5-6 minutes apart. I woke the hubs and told him I thought we should get dressed, callwd my mom and dad so my dad could stay with Houston and Kels could ride to the hospital with my mom. By the time we got to round rock the traffic was at a standstill and I was having contractions every 3 minutes....WHAT? Where did those 8-9 minute apart contractions go you are supposed to start with ? I wasn't worried about a highway baby as much as -I wanted to make sure - got to the hospital in time to get my epidural! Well I did make it to the hospital in time and Major was born at 11:35. He was 7lbs 8 oz and 20 1/4 inches long and perfect! We are blissfully happy and so in love ! Part 2 of the labor story to come later with pics -time to feed :)

On our way !

We are on our way to the hospital- I will try and post an update from there later- stay tuned :)

Friday is the day !

Maybe Friday is the day I should say....I went to the Dr. this morning and if Major isn't here before Friday then I will be induced that morning. I'm ok with this plan b/c any of you that know me well know that I am a planner, and I like to have a plan and follow it ( which means he will probably come before that just to show me who is really in charge-HA) I'm still just dilated to a 1 but I have had a few other indicators that suggest labor isn't far away and my Dr. said that even if I have to be induced he thinks I will go pretty fast. We shall see.....so for now we wait- I am finishing up my last day of work today ( just b/c I am tired and irritable and not feeling great) and I will just hang out and play with H for the next couple of days and try and take it easy my last few days as a mom of only 2 ! We can't wait to meet Major and love on him and know he will be the perfect addition to our already crazy family ( as I told my friend Kelley though "crazy is the new normal" - at least at our house:)

Prayer for Haiti!

I found this prayer for the people of Haiti on a blog I read and I think parts of it could be a prayer for any day but are especially needed now. I think we tend to take for granted many times the simple blessings in life such as electricity and clean water(speaking for myself).

This was written by a Haitian American.

Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU, because this morning I woke up and knew where my children were.
Because this morning my home was still standing,
because this morning I am not crying because my husband,
my child, my brother or sister needs to be buried out from underneath a pile of concrete,
because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water,
because this morning I was able to turn on the light,
because this morning I was able to take a shower,
because this morning I was not planning a funeral,
but most of all I thank you this morning because
I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti .
Lord I cry out to you, the one that makes the impossible, possible,
the one that turns darkness in to light, I cry out that you give those mothers strength,
that you give them peace that surpasses all understanding,
that you may open the streets so that help can come,
that you may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye.
For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope,
give them courage to continue to go on!
Protect the children and shield them with your power.
I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!!

We are ready !

Or should I say I am ready.... The bags are packed, everything is washed, the house is clean, the car seat base is installed, and I have organized everything I can possibly find that needs organizing ( except the filing cabinet- I am really hoping he comes before I get to that one :) If he doesn't come soon I am going to have to take on another project like adding crown molding in the living room or installing a deck in the backyard ! I go back to the Dr. on Tuesday ( if he hasn't come by then) and we will most likely schedule an induction date for later that week ( my actual due date is the 29th)during that appointment. I really thought he was going to surprise us all and come early but he seems to be really content in there now. I asked Houston the other day when he thought Major would come and he looked at me and said " he's not coming out"-HA-I quickly told him "ohhhh but he is" ...thanks for being encouraging though :) stay tuned for further developments.....

Finally..the pics I promised !

Here are pictures of H's safari room and Major's "camping" themed nursery- I think they both turned out great and thanks to my mom for making both sets of curtains.

Happy 16th Birthday Kelsey !

Technically it's happy 16 years and 10 days as I am late with this post! I can't believe my firstborn is 16 already ! where did the time go??? seems like just yesterday I was racing down I-35 afraid she was going to be the mile marker baby on the side of 35. She was 8 days early and couldn't wait to meet the world. She is a little more patient now but just as full of life and fun to be around. She is gorgeous inside and out,smart, witty, compassionate and I am so glad she is my daughter and my friend. For her birthday I dropped her and some friends off at the mall to get manicures and shop and then Mimi, H and I took them to dinner at Dos Salsas in G-town- separate tables of course b/c apparently it's not cool to have a 9 month preggie mom, grandma and 4 yr old brother in tow when you are 16- Ahem ....I did get their bill though :) Afterwards we came back to the house and had cookie cake from Great American Cookie Company- let me just say that it is not a great idea to have leftover cookie cake laying around when you are preggie- it was not around long !!! I hope she had a great bithday and I am so proud of the person she has become. Love you sweet girl !!

American Idol is back !!!

American Idol is back starting tonight and I have to admit I love the American Idol auditions- In fact I think I like them almost more than the actual competition. I love the fact that some of these people really have no clue that they cannot sing. I sing awful but I will be the first person to tell you that- you won't see me on there pretending that I don't sound as bad as I really do. I think there is a big difference between confidence and the denial of not acknowledging that your voice can break glass. But thank goodness for these people because if not for them I wouldn't be nearly as entertained as I will be tonight :)

37 Weeks !

Well nothing new to report here..went to the Dr. this morning and after waiting 45 minutes for a pelvic check he said that I am still dilated to a 1 and that while he has moved down some, there is nothing really going on yet- actually getting my bags packed last night might have jinxed me-HA !! so now we just wait until Major decides he is tired of his old address and wants a new one and continue with the weekly appointments- I still haven't done Kels' b-day post or posted pics of the boys rooms....maybe this week????

Watch what you say!

So after reporting Monday that nothing was going on with my cervix ( my Dr's words) I came home and worked- all afternoon my stomach was tight and somewhat uncomfortable but nothing that caused me concern ( I have had Braxton Hicks contractions off and on since about 20 weeks) - until that evening...around 6:15 or so I started having more pain and decided that maybe these weren't just Braxton Hicks that I was feeling so I decided to lay down and time them- they weren't regular but they were closer together than I thought they should be so I told Kurt I would feel better if we drove in to the hospital just to get checked out - especially since we live about 30 minutes out and I am all about an epidural !!! Kelsey was 8 days early and an extremely fast labor- i.e. no time for pain meds :( - and Houston was 1 day late and a scheduled induction- so I'm guessing this one could go either way ??? once we got to the hospital they hooked me up to the monitors so we could see my contractions and hear Major's heartbeat- the nurse checked me and said that I was dilated to a 1 ( remember just that morning I was 0 and "nothing going on") and said she would re check me in about 2 hours and if there was no cervical change I could go home. I continued to have what I am assuming were contractions ( she said that some Braxton Hicks contractions hurt so they could have been these I guess) but at the end of the 2 hr period I was the same so I was lucky enough to come home and get to sleep in my bed ! thank goodness because I still have not packed our bags for the hospital -yes I am doing that within the next couple of days- and I have strict instructions per my hubby to not do anything strenuous for the next couple of days b/c he is in California to see the Horns play in the Rose Bowl...my mom is here and she is a complete blessing- she's already gone to the store for me, given H-man a bath and they are now playing while I work.... and I might even get a nap later :) Can I get an Amen for Mimi's !!! I only worked a half day yesterday and I have felt much better- I am hoping to keep him in there at least another 9 days until I am 38 weeks. However, I realize we are going to be on Major's timetable and not our own but I am doing what I can to "take it easy" ( or something like it:)

36 Weeks !

I am 36 weeks and 3 days and went to the Dr. this morning for my now weekly check up- he said that everything continues to look great and that my cervix is high and closed - for those of you that dont speak OB language that basically means there is nothing going on down there yet... he also said that Major is sitting on my bladder ( I could have told him that :) that's about it for now- I know I still need to do Kelsey's B-day post and put a new belly pic and pics of H and Major's rooms- maybe tomorrow ?? happy Monday !

Happy New Year !!

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year !! I had hoped to get a new belly pic and some pics of H's and Major's rooms on the blog today since I am off work today, however......why is it that my day off usually ends up being more exhuasting than the days I work ??? I did get some last minute birthday shopping done for my favorite daughter who will be 16 on Saturday (WHAT- how did that happen??) and made a trip to HEB -which was almost worse than having to work today- I mean really ....you know it's a bad sign when you go in and they have no carts :( I am off on Friday's so hopefully I will get the pics up tomorrow- no promises though b/c I have to get the Christmas decorations put away and work on a special birthday post for Kels- I hope everyone has a great 2010 filled with lots of love, laughter and good health !!

Yikes -It's almost Christmas !

Where has the time gone ?? I'm feeling pretty unmotivated these days to shop, wrap or do anything holiday related. Maybe it's this ever growing belly that seems to get bigger everyday !! I am trying hard to force myself into the Christmas spirit- normally by this time of the year I have long sent out Chrismas cards ( not happening this year but I will try and send out birth announcements so maybe I can redeem myself that way :) have all the presents not only bought, but wrapped and under the tree- not so much this year. I still have a list of things to buy, presents stashed around the house waiting to be wrapped, and 2 big Tupperware containers of Christmas decorations that didn't quite make it out of their home this year. Now don't get me wrong I haven't been a total Scrooge, I did get my tree up,lighted garland on the mantel and staircase as well as some other lighted decorations around the house and a special "mini" tree in Houston's room just for Sesame Street ornaments,and Kurt not only got the out of control bushes in the front yard trimmed but lights on them as well ( thank you sweetie). But, I still somehow feel "behind"...I am off work until the 28th and am so excited -I think I may attempt to build my first ever gingerbread house with H and Kels and I am pretty sure I am nesting. I have gotten most of Major's clothes (which are actually Houston's clothes with a few new additions) washed and ready and in the closet, his room is ready except for one last thing that needs to be hung on the wall, and I made a trip to Babies R Us yesterday to get some last minute things I thought might be good to have on hand with a baby around ( you know bottles, diapers, baby wash, onesies :)

I will leave you with a description from Baby Center of what Mr. Major has accomplished as of this past week of growing. I hope everyone is having a healthy, blessed Christmas season so far.

Your pregnancy: 34 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Candy Cane Crack !

I am not even kidding- if you have not tried these Candy Cane Hershey kisses yet then consider yourself better off !! I tried them for the first time yesterday and have already been back to Target to get 2 more bags :) I can't get enough of them-they are white chocolate yumminess with tiny bits of peppermint mixed in - yeah everything in moderation- ok I might try that with the next bags because the first one is on it's way out quickly ! And my Dr. just told me my weight gain was doing great at my appt this past week- wow- guess I won't be hearing that at the next appointment ! are you noticing a theme here with the peppermint? and what's funny is that I dont even like regular peppermints- go figure!! Happy eating if you dare.

Can't argue with that !

So please join us today for Body 101 with H-man. After going to the bathroom the other day Houston proceeds to tell his sissy that " poop comes out your hiny, not your penis" ...HA-can't argue with that !!!

Happy Turkey Day !

Hope everyone is going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving with their family and too much good food !! Here are just a few things I am feeling especially thankful for this year:

1. God- I am so thankful for his presence in my life
2. My husband- I love this man more than words can express and although we don't always see eye to eye I know he always has my back and loves me more than anything
( well except maybe the Longhorns-HA.. Hook 'Em Horns, Beat A&M )
3. My kids -
Kels: I am so lucky we have the relationship that we do and I think she is
one of the smartest, funniest, most gorgeous people( inside and out) that I know
Houston: he keeps me laughing every day and has the biggest heart of any 3 1/2 yr old I know
Major: he reminds me every day of God's greatest gift of new life
4. My family- they are always there for me no matter what
5. My friends- hopefully everyone is lucky enough to have those rare friends that would be there for you at a moment's notice
6. My health- I am so lucky to be able to do all that I do and I am very grateful for a healthy pregnancy thus far
7. My job - I am so blessed every day to be able to work from home and spend time with my kiddos while getting paid
8. Our military- a huge thank you to them for their daily sacrifices so that we may enjoy being with our families today and every day
9.My home- thanks to my hubby for working so hard to give us a beautiful house- I can't wait to decorate for Christmas
10.Starbuck's skinny vanilla latte's:)

I'm sure I could think of many more but I must go get dressed and make my corn casserole for lunch today- Have a safe, blessed day and weekend !

It's almost here !!

Ok- It's only 10 days until New Moon comes out and I am sooooooo excited ! It's release date isn't officially until Friday, Nov 20th so Kels and I are going to see it Thursday night at midnight -which is officially Friday :) Yes I am 36 yrs old and totally excited about this movie, enough to the point that I am going to stay awake to see it at midnight ! There are not many things I would stay awake for at this point and sleep is a luxury I know I wont have soon, but Edward is worth it !! I will let you all know how it is :)

This and That

One of my favorite seasonal things this time of year is Peppermint ice cream- I love it !!! we are a house divided when it comes to the brand though- Kels and I love Dreyer's and my hubby picks Blue Bell- although I don't buy ice cream much when I do I usually buy Blue Bell, but the Dreyer's peppermint is so much creamier there is no comparison. So if you are in the store and see it - try it ! You wont be disappointed- it is seasonal though so don't wait too long ! You know you are preggie when you devote almost an entire post to ice cream :)






On a random side note - did you know Bon Jovi is going to be in Dallas in April ?? I heart Bon Jovi !! anyone want to go ? think a breastfeeding momma could rock out 2 months postpartum :)

To Snoogle or not to Snoogle ?

Ok- so I have been debating for a while whether or not to spend money on a body pillow called the Snoogle- what this pillow does is cradle your body -your head,hips, belly, back,or some combination thereof depending on how you arrange it- Between the frequent trips to the bathroom, the random back and/or lower pelvic strains and Major's increased movements at night I have not been sleeping too great for a while now ( yes I know this lack of sleep thing is only going to get worse once he is actually here :) So today I decided to just bite the bullet and go to Babies R Us and purchase one- I needed a few other things from there so I felt the trip was justified since it wasn't just for me. I got it home and out of the package to try it out and I did not want to get up- seriously ...this may cause problems come morning time. I'm sure my hubby will not be happy since he already has issues with my "wall of pillows" and now there is just one more added to the crew but what can I say- a preggie girl needs her sleep !! Have a great week.

Spiderman, My Belly and a Sneak Peek !

We had a great Halloween- H-man was Spiderman and there were times I wondered if his costume would last until Halloween. I bought it about a month before Halloween never dreaming he would like it as much as he did. Last year he wouldn't even put on his dinosaur costume and we ended up improvising with a horse/cowboy combo from the year before. Well,this year was entirely a different story- From the moment we bought it, he wanted to try on his Spiderman costume at least once a day and many days could be found sitting in his Elmo chair, costume on, watching Animal Planet while eating his lunch ( yes some days he watches tv while eating lunch- what can I say- a girl has to get some work done :)




Spiderman out in the neighborhood





Spiderman's big haul






We recently went to my 27 week Dr. appt and all looks great with Major-he's growing right on track and we are getting really excited to meet him! Here's my 27 week belly pic.



Here is a sneak peek at Major's room- I have to give props to my hubs b/c he picked out the paint color and I absolutely love it !!! He did it with no swatches, fabrics or anything with him-when I asked him how he picked out the perfect blue for his room he replied that "he just picked a blue that he liked" Wow- what a novel idea. If I had gone to pick out paint it would have required at least one or two fabric swatches, Major's bedding, and hours of looking at paint samples. There is something to be said I guess for not having to make everything difficult :} I will post more when his curtains are fnished, hung and the extra bed is out of there. I will give you a hint that his room is going to be a camping theme- bears, fish, canoes and tents. I wanted to re-use some of H-man's things from when his room was a fishing theme b/c he had so many cute things, but wanted to give Major his "own" room as well.



I'm going to throw in some pics of when we went to the pumpkin patch a few weekends ago on this post too, b/c we all know that by the time I post again it will be time for Christmas trees and Happy New Year wishes :)










Hope everyone has a great rest of the week !