Belly Updates- 38 Weeks

How far Along: 38 weeks, 1 day

Size of Baby:  Still a watermelon (Around 7.5 lbs.)

Symptoms:  A little less heartburn this week!  I'm getting really nervous about the birth as it gets closer!

Movement:  She has slowed down a little this week.  I'm assuming she is just getting too big to move around very much.

Cravings:  I'm not all that hungry anymore except for breakfast.  I could eat breakfast for every meal.  Nothing really tastes great anymore.  

Milestones:  We are getting so close to D-Day!  At our 38 week appointment, there was no progress from last week.  A bit of a disappointment, but I know she will come on the perfect day and time!  Our Dr. asked if we would like to be induced next week, but we opted to wait it out another week before we talk about induction.  I'm really wanting to go into labor naturally and avoid a bunch of medical interventions.  

Belly Updates- 37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 Weeks, 2 Days

Size of Baby:  A full grown watermelon!  (19-22 in., around 7 lbs.)

Symptoms:  Heartburn at night, still some minor back pain and lots of Braxton Hicks!  I haven't started feeling any real contractions yet, but I'm on the lookout for them.  

Movement:  Her movements are really strong now and sometimes catch me off guard when she gives me a good kick!  

Cravings:  Milk!!!  I can't get enough!

Milestones:  We are full term now!  She can safely come anytime now...and we are ready!  So, whenever she feels like making an appearance would be lovely!  As of our last appointment, 4 days ago, I was 80% effaced and dilated to a 1.  Baby girl is still head down and at a -2 station.  The Dr. thought for sure within the next two weeks she would be here!  My prediction is November 2.  

Nurse Thank You Cookies

I decided to make some cookies to thank the Dr.'s and Nurses at my OBGYN office.  They see so many patients day in and day out, and I thought they might enjoy some cookies and knowing that they are appreciated!

KK visits DC!

This past weekend we got a special treat!  KK came to visit before the baby comes!  We picked her up from the airport on Friday morning around 1AM!  That is late for me these days...and then we stayed up until 3 AM chatting!  Friday morning we got up pretty early and headed up to Arlington National Cemetery to start our tour of DC!

Unfortunately, it was pretty rainy all morning, but we made the most of it!  

If you look close you can see the capitol building in the background.  We were on our way to take a picture at the White House and then go eat at Old Ebbitt's Grill.  

Most of the day while walking this is what I saw....the back of KK and Mark and occasionally they would turn around to check on preggo!

After lots of walking, my feet were done!

Back at Arlington National to watch changing of the guard and get a quick tour.  

This is really awesome to watch!  

Ever since my birthday, when we spotted Georgetown (DC) Cupcakes, I have been dying to go try it out.  It was amazing!!!!  The cupcakes were delicious and the icing was great too!  The cupcakes aren't huge, but they are the perfect size for an after dinner snack!

Mark enjoyed a chocolate hazelnut cupcake with a cup of coffee.

KK and I both had Vanilla Squared...vanilla with vanilla!  

Saturday, we let Mark do his Saturday thing....watch football!...while we went shopping and saw the new Footloose!  I loved it!!!!!  Definitely a must see!  We left the theatre singing and dancing.  Saturday night we had dinner at the house and watched the Rangers WIN!!!!  

Unfortunately, Sunday morning came way too soon and we had to drop KK off at the airport at 6 AM.  :(  The trip was way too short, but was lots of fun!  I can't wait for her to come back soon!!!!  

Happy Fall Y'all!

Belly Updates- 36 Weeks

How Far Along: 36 Weeks, 5 days

Size of Baby:  Watermelon! ( 19-22 In., 6.5 lbs.)

Symptoms:  Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, dull back ache at times, excitement and anxiety about the upcoming birthday!!!

Movement:  She is pretty active in the morning and late at night.  I'm pretty sure her little foot has been stuck in my ribs a few times.  

Cravings:  Nothing specific this week.  

Milestones:  At our 36 week check up, baby girl is still measuring 1 week ahead.  So as of last week the Dr. said she could come any day now!  As of last Tuesday, I was 70% effaced and dilated to .5!  Progress is good, but it could still be a couple of weeks.  The Dr. seems to think she might make her grand appearance a week early.  If that is true we only have 2 more weeks of not being parents!  

Rivalries in College Football

I have been thinking/stewing about this post since the facebook posts started yesterday slamming my University and the students/alumni.  I have so many thoughts about this that I don't even know how to write them in an organized manner....please bear with me as I get on my soapbox.


First of all...not all Red Raiders are "classless clowns" as we are referred to frequently by the Aggies.  Anyone that is a "classless clown" is a punk and is not a true Red Raider!  Both of my parents have graduated from Texas Tech, my dad was a letterman and started on the football team....pretty sure they aren't classless!  Then they paid for my education at Texas Tech.  I was a Cum Laude graduate, on the Pom squad and involved in many other activities around campus.  Never did I shout profanities at other schools fans, nor did I ever vandalize property of another school or my own.  However...when I was cheering for my school at the A&M/Tech game in 2002 at College Station....and it was 105 degrees standing on concrete....we were not allowed to bring water in, nor were we provided water by the stadium.  Our coach had to buy the expensive water from the concession stand and we had to take turns leaving the field to take a drink of water.  So, I'm not thinking the Aggies are the most hospitable to incoming teams...and we were there for a purpose...not to be punks!  Furthermore....my brother now attends Texas Tech and he attends games to cheer on his team, not to be a "classless clown".  So, you can see how I'm slightly offended by "my friends" making such accusations about my school or making generalizations about Tech fans.  


I guess faking injuries to take a breather is OK.  I don't know factually they were faking injuries, but when you are able to come back in after 1 or 2 plays...I'm pretty sure you weren't hurt that badly.  Side note:  There needs to be some type of rule that if you are injured you can't come back in the entire quarter or something to deter players from faking.  


I guess pouring urine from the upper deck into the Texas Tech section is okay at Kyle Field.  

I guess Stealing Texas Tech's mascot and throwing orange paint on it in 1975, which the paint had lead therefore causing the horse to die of Lead Posioning is okay.

I guess stealing Texas Tech band instruments, hats, and saddle tramp bells are okay?


These are all part of things that go on between rivals and are done by a very small number of people.  This doesn't mean that every Aggie is "classless".  I have many dear friends that are graduates of A&M and they are wonderful individuals.  


The game was a great football game.  It could have gone either way, but in the end the Red Raiders couldn't pull it out.  I'm still proud to be a Red Raider.  I think I went to a wonderful University. (Side note:  I was accepted to A&M as well and I CHOSE to go to Tech!  Not everyone goes to Tech because they can't get into A&M.  I get really tired of hearing that as well!)  I wish the Aggies the best of luck in the SEC.  I'm sure that LSU fans are just sweet as pie when you come to their home field.  

Philippians 1- Week 2 Bible Study

<sup>So, I'm a day late posting this week!  Somehow yesterday just got away from me, but here I am today with my recap and thought on Philippians 1.  If you want to link up with the rest of the group, head on over to Abigail's Blog and she has a handy dandy tab at the top to see what everyone's thoughts are.  So here goes...


This was the first bit of verses that stood out to me when doing this weeks readings.  The first part of verses 4-6 that stands out to me is verse 4.  "...I always pray with joy".  Hmmm...this got me thinking on how I pray.  Do I pray with joy and thanksgiving?  Or do I pray for stuff first (ex.:  help me do this, Lord or give me that, Lord)?  I think if I am being honest I pray first for the me stuff....give me, help me, save me...and then maybe I'll throw in a thank you.  I want to be more like Paul and ALWAYS pray with joy!  In The Message version this verse says "...I break out with exclamations of thanks...".  So maybe I should start praying with exclamations on the end of my prayers.  


The second part of this group of verses that stands out to me is vs. 6.  "...that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ."  So...I'm not complete.  The Lord doesn't expect me to be perfect.  He isn't done with me.  Sometimes I get down on myself if I disappoint others, or ultimately I disappoint God with my actions.  This is a good reminder that He isn't finished with me!  I am still a work in progress and some days I need a lot more work and refining than other days.




4</sup> In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.


There are two words in vs. 20 that stand out to me...ashamed and courage.  Another word for ashamed could be embarrassed.  When I think about being fruitful and sharing my faith, my initial thoughts are "what will people think?", "will they think I'm weird?"  So, I think posting these weekly Bible studies is a step in the right direction.  I am stepping out with courage and posting what I believe for the blog world to read and maybe it will make an impression on someone.  


²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 

Belly Updates- 35 Weeks

How far Along: 35 Weeks

Size of Baby: Large Canteloupe (19-22 In., 5.5 lbs)

Symptoms:  Irregular contractions and a little bit of back pain.  I'm also super sleepy in the afternoons and sleeping at night is getting more difficult.  I'm assuming this is good preparation for the nearing arrival of baby girl!

Movement:  She is too big to really move a whole lot, but I still get the rolling and occasional foot pushing out.  

Cravings:  This week I was really wanting a red velvet cupcake...so, I gave in to my cravings and whipped up some from scratch.  They turned out awesome!  

Milestones:  We had a Dr. appt. today and everything looks good...no progress yet.  We go back again on Tuesday.  It is getting really close!

Octoberfest Fun

Yesterday, we ventured out to check out Octoberfest at Fort Belvoir.  Although it was pretty rainy and really cold, we still had a fun time eating, drinking (not me!), and listening to some German music!  Mark started off the afternoon with a German beer in a lovely mug!

And then ate a huge brat!  What is more Octoberfest-ish than a beer and a brat?!  

I chose a Bavarian pretzel and then we split a funnel cake for dessert. 

I don't think funnel cakes are German, but they sure are tasty!

How can you pass up yummy fair food and German music on a rainy, fall afternoon?!  We sure had a fun time!