30 week appointment

Last Friday, June 3, we had our 30-week appointment.  It was a fun one because they did an ultrasound in order to take some measurements.  Austin is about 3 lbs 10 oz and was hiding from the camera.  We couldn't see his face because his head is down and very low.  That is good that he is already head-down and the nurse said that babies rarely move again once they are positioned like that.  David asked her to double check that he is a boy....and he is, for sure.  I got "scolded" (not really) for not gaining any weight between appointments.  The nurse told me to go to McDonalds and Dairy Queen, which is not the best nutritional advice if I might say.  I met one of the other doctors in the practice since mine was on vacation.  I really liked her too.  Now I have met 3 of the 5 doctors and have liked all of them.  Since my doctor is only at Swedish hospital where we will deliver on Wednesdays and Fridays, there is a good chance that my doctor won't be there when Austin is born.  My fluid levels were a little on the low side so we are having another ultrasound at my 32 week appointment to check on that again.  Below is a picture taken today (31 weeks) before work.  Sorry it's not the best pic.  The crib and my diaper bag (bday gift from my mom) are in the background.  Currently the crib is full of towels, blankets, and other gifts.  Hmm, might need to find a place for those.  The nursery is still a work in progress, but hopefully this weekend with mom will help move it along.

31 weeks

Memorial Day Weekend

I think I have mentioned before that I made a "Before Baby Comes To-Do" list.  One of the things on that list was plant grass in the spots in the spots in front and back yard that had died.  We started this a few weeks ago by planting the sod in the back yard and finished it Memorial day weekend in the front yard.  When I say "we", I mainly mean David.  I picked up the sod from the nursery while David prepared the ground (the guy at the nursery loaded it for me so all I really did was pay for it and drive it home).  David unloaded the sod from the car and cut it (using his geometry skills) to fit the shape of the bare space.  He laid it all perfectly and has made sure to give it plenty of water so that it takes root and begins to mesh with the rest of the grass.  This is just one of the many "projects" on the list.  Quite a few of them are complete, which is great.  I planted our annual plants in pots and planted 3 cherry tomato plants (I will probably be handing out tomatoes on the street considering David doesn't even like them).  The main things left on the list are baby room related projects, which my mom will be able to help with when she comes to Denver this weekend.

We didn't just "work" over Memorial day weekend.  We also hosted a really fun Memorial Day/Birthday BBQ (my bday was Sunday 5/29).  It's weird to think that is my last birthday without Austin.  About 30 of our friends came on Monday afternoon for some good food, games, and just hanging out.  Thankfully the weather was great (a little on the windy side), but not rainy or cold (like we had been having).  We smoked a brisket and served pulled pork with Goode Company BBQ sauce.  Everyone brought side dishes or drinks (Christina's yummy mac 'n cheese, salads, chips beer, wine).  I made a delicious ice cream cake.  It was brownie on the bottom layer, then fudge sauce, then BlueBell homeade vanilla ice cream, topped with oreo cookie crumbs.  There is still some left in the freezer that I have been munching on over the past week.  The guys played bean bag toss (or corn hole) most of the time and the girls just chatted.  I was so happy that Meredith and Matt were able to come to the party and meet our friends and see our house on their way to the airport back to Austin.  We had such a fun time and it might be our last big BBQ for a while since I don't know if I will have the energy to host a party like that with a newborn (i.e. for Labor day or something like that).  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures.

Showered again - Houston!

On Sunday, May 22, my mother-in-law's (Mary) wonderful friends, Sally, Beth Sue, and Ellen hosted a ladies baby shower.  Mary invited her friends, my mom invited her Houston friends and I invited my friends that live in Houston.  It was at Sally's gorgeous house.  They had a fabulous spread of fruit, chips and dip, finger sandwiches (complete with baby decorations and cut-out in cute shapes), white and blue petifours, and delicious brownies (They were so moist and fudgey - I had 2 of these!). 

I am so grateful that so many were able to come celebrate.  David even made an appearance at the end of the shower to say hi (and help carry gifts to the car).  My Stratford friends (Sara, Jenny, Annie, and Kristin) all came and it was so good to see them even if it was just for a little bit.  Kristin shared some "boy-raising" advice since she has a 1-year old son.  She said to enjoy it because they grow up so fast and to be careful because boys are wild. 

Kristin, Jenny, me, Sara, Annie

 Mary, Ellen, Mrs. Lunn

Beth and Ellen

Lauren and mom

We received some very cute outfits, blankets, books, bibs, and many others.  I think Mary's friends know that David is a golfer because we got (from three different people 1) a seer-sucker golf jump-suit that he can probably wear next summer 2) some golf 3) soft mini golf bag (toy) complete with some slacks and a polo shirt.  Do you think that Mary's friends know that David is a golfer?  And, of course, Mary (one of the most generous people I know) spoiled me (and Austin) by giving us the BOB jogging stroller and infant car-seat attachment.  Thank you Mary!  I can't wait to use it, but I don't think I will be one of those people who push around an empty or weighted stroller for practice (or maybe to build arm muscle).  I have really seen these women at the park. 

It was a wonderful shower-filled weekend and we are very grateful for all of the wonderful gifts and enjoyed seeing all of our friends and family!  I also got to meet our niece, Annabelle, for the first time.  She is Allison (my step-sister) and David's baby who is 8 weeks old in this picture.

We even went to dinner with Mary, Ed, Ellen, Davy, Ben, Summer and my mom at Cyclone Anaya's on Sunday night to celebrate my birthday (a week early) and the Stephens' clan gave me a video camera.  It's HD and so tiny! (I just remember the one that my family had growing up - you had to rest it on your shoulder to film and it had those cassette-like tapes).  This will come in handy for the hospital and of course as Austin grows and changes we will take videos to share with family and friends.  Thanks again!

FAMILY!

On Saturday, May 21, after the San Antonio shower, my mom and I drove to Houston for the Houston baby showers.  On Saturday night, my aunts Carrie, Ellen and Mary Carol hosted a family party at Carrie's house.  Ricki (my sister-in-law) also helped a ton with the food for the party.  They served Ricki's yummy cheese ball with raspberry sauce, beef tenderloin sandwiches, pasta salad, a green salad with avocado, and other yummy things.  Carrie's friend made and decorated a cake and Ricki made chocolate-covered strawberries (so good!). 

I am so thankful for all the family that came to help celebrate with us.  Lauren brought BB (my grandmother) from Austin to celebrate her first great-grandchild!  My aunt Sally drove from Dallas with my cousin Brooke, Jennifer and Claire drove from Lufkin, and my dad and Michelle came in from Dallas too.

Lauren, me, Jennifer, mom, Claire, and Mary

Ben, me, Summer

 Stephens family

 Hamiltons, Stephens, Hendrix, Hunts

Hendrix and Stephens

The shower was a "gift card" shower so that we could transport things easier back to Denver.  (Now we need to go to Babies R Us and Pottery barn kids to buy the necessities like a car seat and swing, among others).  We are very grateful!  Most people brought gift cards but also got some really cute outfits for Austin to wear.  BB even knitted a precious hat for Austin to wear in the winter.  My uncle Scott sent a tie-dyed "keep Austin weird" onesie.  Ricki got the "most creative" award for her gift.  She bought 12 white onesies in different sizes (some long-sleeved and some-short sleeved) and had them embroidered for each month of the year during Austin's 1st year.  For example, the first onesie says "I drool burnt orange" for the start of football season.  There is one for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Valentines, St Patty's, Easter, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, July 4th, and then "Austin's 1-year bday".  Who knows if the sizes will be right each month but we will definitely take a picture in each of the onesie's when they fit him and make a calendar for the next year with the 12 pictures (read: gift for grandparents).  The party was so fun and we are so blessed to have a such a wonderful family to celebrate baby Austin.

San Antonio Baby Shower

On Saturday, May 21, 5 lovely ladies (thank you Amanda, Meredith, Cecile, Carolyn and Dianne) hosted a shower for me in San Antonio.  I flew to San Antonio on Friday evening and my mom picked me up at the airport.  (meanwhile, David flew directly to Houston that night and his flight was 2 hours delayed due to storms in Denver but my flight that left 30 minutes before his scheduled departure, was pretty much on time - sorry David - thanks for making the trip).  On Friday night, my mom, Cecile, Amanda, Carolyn, Meredith and Sara all went to dinner at Paloma Blanca.  It's a yummy Mexican food place in Alamo Heights.  Thanks to Mere and Amanda for driving in from Austin on Friday night to eat with us!  The next morning, the shower was at 10:30 at Cecile and David's new fancy high-rise apartment building.  They had a wonderful spread of fruit, mini muffins, mini fritattas, and blue and white polka-dot sugar cookies.  They even had an activity planned.  Everyone decorated a burp cloth with permanent markers for me to use (since I am sure we will go through plenty of them).  It was fun getting to chat with all my childhood friends from SA and my mom's long-time friends as well.  We got some really cute gifts like a couple of Kissy-Kissy little blue and white outfits and a really soft blue sleep sack.  The hostesses gave us a gift card to Babies R Us (easy to transport back to Denver!) and we will probably put it towards the swing and car seat (2 necessities that we don't have yet).  Thanks to all the hostesses for a wonderful party and for everyone who came to help celebrate our little guy who will be with us before we know it.

Me, mom & hostesses (R to L: Amanda, Cecile, Dianne, me, mom, Carolyn, Meredith)

 Amanda, me, Sara, Meredith

Some of the creative burp clothes

Cute, soft Kissy-Kissy outfit