Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Austin Anniversary Trip Day 1 Recap

Austin: Day 1 - Friday, February 24

We left for a 6th Anniversary Trip/Babymoon to Austin, TX early Friday morning after attending the late Thunder home victory against the Lakers the night before. Go Thunder! [Thanks Steve!]


We flew because the thought of driving all day and stopping every 2 seconds for a preggy potty break just didn't seem like a great idea to me.  Our flight left at 6:50am. Surprisingly, I scheduled a super early flight intentionally so we would get to Austin with plenty of time to have a full first day.  We barely got through security in time to catch the end of the boarding passenger line.  [So...we maybe didn't make it out of the house when we were supposed to.]

By 10:30am, we had arrived in Austin, claimed our baggage, picked up our rental car, and headed out to find a place to eat breakfast. After several failed attempts to stop and feed our tummies, we ended up at the Magnolia Cafe on South Congress Ave.  This was one of the only places we ate at without a personal recommendation and it was mighty tasty!  Tom ordered flaco tacos and a blueberry pancake and I ordered a garlic bagel with cream cheese and [per the recommendation on the chalkboard in the ladies restroom] one gingerbread pancake with bananas.  It was definitely deserving of all the rave reviews I read on Google, a must try.
  

After breakfast we checked into our hotel and crashed for a couple of hours due to only getting 3 hours sleep on Thursday night.

After we were rested and feeling relaxed, we went to get some coffee at a local coffee shop, Thunderbird Coffee.  



It was a pretty day, despite the wind, so after the coffee shop we found a nearby park named Festival Beach at Lady Bird Lake. We walked around the trails, talked, and relaxed. It was fun to use the beautiful surroundings to practice working with our new camera. [Thanks Mom & Dad!]  Tom and I had a mini maternity photo session and I think he got some pretty good shots.




For dinner we went to the original Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a unique movie theater that serves yummy food and drinks.  While watching The Vow, Tom enjoyed a few brewskies from a local brewery and a burger and I had a thin crust pizza and salad. [No pics, it was dark when we were served and there is a STRICT no cell phone policy.] Both of us were definitely pleased with our meals, and the movie was sweet.  A good choice for our trip.  Tom even liked it and said it was sweet. ;) After the movie we stopped at nearby Yummilicious for frozen yogurt and headed back to the hotel to wind down for the night. 

It was a successful first day of our 6th Anniversary Trip/Babymoon!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Week 22


How Far Along:  22 Weeks

Size of Babies: The Babies are approximately 11 inches long (the length of a spaghetti squash) and weigh almost 1 pound each.

Total Weight Gain: +18 lbs total as of my February 16th appointment

Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly maternity clothes, but I can still wear some of my regular tops and dresses

Gender: It's a Boy and Girl!!! :) :)

Movement: I'm feeling lots of movement and even some little jabs.  Tom can't wait until he can feel them move from the outside.

Sleep:  Interrupted nightly for multiple potty breaks and mild discomfort

What I Miss: Sleeping on my tummy

Cravings: Pepsi

Symptoms:  The swelling [in my feet, ankles, and calves] has begun.  I've put away my high heels and put on the flats and supportive shoes.  It's no longer form over function, but FUNCTION over form.

[I know, not cute.  But they're comfy, and that's what I need.]


Best Moment(s) So Far:  Seeing a sweet baby shower invitation with my name as the honoree.


And just because she's cute, here's a bonus pic of Ruby assisting the photographer.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Nursery Projects

I completed a project for the nursery last night, and I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out.  

[My apologies...all pictures below are poor iPhone quality pics]




I bought the framed mirrors [on sale] from Kirkland's and ordered vinyl monograms of the babies' initials from Posh Designs by Marilyn. Putting sticky vinyl lettering on a mirror is no easy task by the way. Being a perfectionist, it drove me nuts. After trying to apply the lettering slowly and carefully, there were still little air bubbles and the letters are not completely centered on the mirrors. But, if you don't critique them too hard, they look fine. The mirrors will be hanging on the wall behind each crib, so I doubt the imperfections will be that noticeable.  

We also completed a nursery project last weekend, we got the curtains hung. I first saw the curtains on the Pottery Barn Kids website for 40% off. They were out of stock online, so I went into the store and they had them in stock and they honored the online price. We aren't painting the nursery, we are leaving it tan/neutral because it's a boy and a girl. These curtains are a white fabric with tan chenille polka dots and go great with the existing color. They are made really well, the fabric is nice and thick and they have blackout lining.




I don't believe I've ever posted a pic of the cribs before. Assembling the cribs was our first nursery project, which we did with the help of my parents a while back. Because we are having twins, I wanted cribs with low profiles rather than being large and over sized like most of them on the market are these days. The nursery is plenty big, but two cribs take up a lot of space!  I've always loved the traditional Jenny Lind style, so that's what we went with, in the cherry finish. I also had a Jenny Lind style crib when I was baby.  :)



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

I received my traditional Valentine's Day bouquet from my FIL.  :)


We don't have big fancy plans tonight, and that is fine by me. We are just going to order some yummy take out from Saturn Grill and watch a few episodes of our newest favorite show, Parenthood, on Hulu Plus.  :) 

Friday, February 10, 2012

Yes, I know...

I'm an OCD nerd.  Why?  Well, there are several reasons.  But for now, I'm just going to post about one.  I love to organize my current "life projects" into nice, neat, alphabetically categorized 3-ring binders.  

When I got engaged, I made a wedding binder with tabs for address lists for showers/invitations, the ceremony, a "look book" (magazine cut outs and internet print outs), photography, the reception, etc.

When we remodeled our kitchen, I made a kitchen binder with tabs for the budget, contractor contact lists, a "look book" (internet print outs, magazine cut outs, and paint swatches), purchase orders/receipts, etc.  I also made a binder for our bathroom remodels.

Obviously my current life project is getting ready for the babies.  So naturally, I have a baby binder with tabs for address lists for baby showers, coupons/receipts, insurance/medical payments, medical/OB information, nursery, and registries.  I got really fancy and made an insert on picnik for the clear display pockets on the front and back covers.  [By the way, I'm SO incredibly sad that picnik is closing down.]  I used 1 Samuel 1:27 on the front cover, and yes, I altered it to be plural [children rather than child].  

Front Cover

Back Cover

Tabs

Coupon/Receipt Pocket

Fabric Swatches for Nursery


Here are the actual picnik jpegs of the front and back covers.  
Did you notice it coordinates with the nursery fabrics? ;)
I can't help myself.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Week 20


How Far Along:  20 Weeks

Size of Babies: The Babies are approximately the size of a cantaloupe and weigh approximately 10.5 ounces each

Total Weight Gain: +8 lbs total as of my January 19th appointment

Maternity Clothes: I wear mostly maternity clothes, but I can still wear a lot of my regular tops and dresses

Gender: It's a Boy and a Girl!!! :) :)  

Movement: The flutters have turned into what feels like rolling waves. When I feel the rolling waves, the part of my tummy around my belly button will get really hard and I feel a lot of concentrated pressure.

Sleep:  My sleep is still being interrupted nightly for multiple potty breaks and mild discomfort.  I'm still using my boppy body pillow, although I keep finding it on the floor when I wake up in the mornings.

What I Miss: Sleeping on my tummy

Cravings: Pepsi and fruit smoothies

Symptoms:  I've started feeling carpel tunnel symptoms due to typing and using a mouse at work all day everyday. Towards the end of the work week it worsens, but by the time the weekend is over, it almost completely subsides. I've been told and read that carpel tunnel can be a common thing for pregnant women. The cause is swelling and increased fluids, causing pressure on the nerve in the wrist.

Best Moment(s) So Far:  Sharing the genders with family and friends!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Healer

At nearly 12 weeks pregnant, I posted about a time around Christmas that I was singing on the worship team in church and got overcome with emotion and cried and couldn't make it through the song I was supposed to sing.  Well, yesterday I helped serve on the worship team again and I am pleased to report that I did not cry this time. :) I honestly didn't know if I would be able to keep the tears back because I was asked to lead out on a song that is very near to my heart.

The worship song "Healer" ministered to my hurting heart during the darkest days of our infertility.  Now it serves as a resounding reminder of what He's done and a promise of what He will do.  As I sang "Healer," I kept my eyes closed for the majority of the song because every time I would open them, I would look out and see a church member in the congregation worshipping and weeping.  I knew if I watched my fellow church members weep, I would lose it too.  It's especially tough when I know certain members' particular situations and why this song is so dear to them too.  God helped me get through the song without crying and the beautiful part about it was that our church was truly worshipping the Healer.  It is such a cool gift to be able to stand in front of my church congregation and listen to everyone singing aloud to the Father in one voice.  I will never get over how great that is.  

Below is a youtube video of Kari Jobe singing "Healer"


"Healer"

Verse:
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

Chorus:
I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

Bridge:
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands