Doctor's Update

This morning, I had a doctor's appointment to check on James and Mattie Rose and for the dreaded gestational diabetes test.

I must say, it was not bad at all. The only rough part was the whole not-eating-before-and-then-an-hour afterward. Fasting for this girl is never a good idea. Add pregnancy to it, and it's probably a good thing I went to this appointment alone. Hunger equals irritability.

The drink wasn't disgusting, really. It tasted like an orange soda gone flat. I was rather proud of my chugging skills this morning. Got it down in two minutes! It must be the over-achiever in me.

My children were misbehaving this morning. We had a talk before headed to the doctor about how well I expected them to do, to give us beautiful pictures of their faces, and to not be sticking their bottoms in each other's faces like they had last month. They totally didn't listen.... :)

Mattie Rose, who is baby A (meaning she is closer to my cervix and will be delivered first), has now turned breech. Which explains the painful shots to my internal organs I have been feeling lately. And James is still transverse across the top of my belly. Both of them were lying on their tummies today and refused to look at us, even when stimulated by this buzzing contraption the ultrasound tech place on my tummy.

Oh well.... Good news is they are growing just as they should be and everything looks great! Mattie Rose is weighing in at a whopping 2 pounds and 8 ounces. And James is just behind her at 2 pounds and 6 ounces.

The doctor sees no reason at this point why I wouldn't be able to make it full term. PTL! I want those babies cooking in their as long as they need to! He did however advise me that working once may hit may not be the best idea. His big concern is the possibility of pre-term labor and anything we can do to avoid that would be smart. This was tough for me to take in, not because I don't agree, but because I love my job and I love my work family and I love my patients. And while I know that greater things are to come, I feel as if I am going to have to grieve a loss in some sort of way.

Anywho, enough of that, because today for whatever reason has been an emotional day for me and I don't need to start the waterworks again.

I know posts are more interesting with pictures. So sorry the lack thereof. Blame it on the babies :)

Happy Hump Day! Hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the week! Finish strong!

Declan's Mustache Bash

This weekend was busy and wonderful...

First things first. We hit 27 weeks this weekend. If we are going off full-term being 38 weeks for these twinks, then that means we only have 11 weeks left! Which completely blows my mind. I feel so unprepared...

Here's your 27 week belly pic. I wish we would have been better staying on top of these, but sometimes we get so busy and it really does just slip my mind.

{according to babycenter, the babies are about the size of a head of cauliflower each...and growing...}

We get to see those sweet thangs (yes, I said thangs) again on Wednesday. I also have my glucose test which I am dreading... I don't handle drinking things quickly, especially on a somewhat empty stomach. I will definitely update after the appointment, hopefully with some good pictures of Mattie Rose and James!

Okay, on to the real reason for this post!

My most precious, absolutely adorable, sweet as pie godson, Declan, had his first birthday party on Saturday. Alicia did a great job planning for this Mustache Bash! Enjoy the pictures...

{adorable invitations - look at that little man}

{dessert table}

{food setup}

{alicia's friend allie made this awesome burlap cupcake}

{there was a burlap backdrop with a colorful banner of different fabrics to take pictures in front of - and a cute chalkboard to write messages on}

{plenty of mustaches and bow-ties to choose from}

{practicing walking - how cute is that little outfit}

{getting in on the action}

{yummy Muddy's smash cake}

{sweet sweet family}

{it took him a little while, but once he got that hand in there, he was all about it}

{sharing with his daddy}

{uncle kyle took the mustache bash seriously. who needs a fake one when you can have the real deal}

{aunt court and uncle kyle}

{helping that sweet boy walk}

{he loves his aunt court. and i love him so much more}

{presents!!!!}

{best friends}

Declan, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Watching you grow over the past year and see you discover your environment! It is an honor and a privilege to be your godmother and I love praying for you daily as I now get to pray for my little ones too! You make everyone's life so enjoyable!

Love you to the moon and back, Aunt Court

Battle of the Bumps: Who Wore It Best?

Let me start this post by saying how enjoyable pregnancy is. I really do mean this. It is rather difficult to put into words what it feels like to carry about two growing humans inside of you. To feel them turn over. To feel them kick. To feel them playing with one another. There is nothing quite like it. To know that I (with God's sovereignty) am responsible for keeping my body a temple to help them grow and develop appropriately. What a huge responsibility and blessing for a woman.

Now....on the other hand :) With all that being said, pregnancy is also a very emotionally and physically exhausting season for a women. And if anyone every tells you differently, they are either lying to you or to themselves. Your body is not your own. You have absolutely no control over the changes it goes through. You WILL gain weight. Your belly button WILL change. Your hips WILL ache. Your hormones WILL make you (or your spouse) crazy. You WILL cry. You WILL feel ugly at times.

So today, I have decided to make light of all the "negatives" of pregnancy. Which really when it comes down to it have absolutely no worth compared to the miracle and artistry of what the Lord is doing inside your and your little one(s) bodies.

I have been very lucky to have several friends that have recently given birth and who have been so kind and generous to pass some maternity clothes my way...I'm not sure what is more expensive at this point, preparing for the baby or trying to remain as stylish as possible when you are gaining more and more weight as the days pass.

I am not one for reading beauty magazines or celeb dirt. Quite frankly, I just don't have the time. But in keeping with US Weekly's battle of repeat outfits on celebrities, WHO WORE IT BEST? :)

{here we have kayla, at 25 weeks pregnant, donning a grey and red jersey knit, empire-waist dress with a cowel neck-beautiful}

{and here we have me, 27 weeks pregnant, playing copy-cat :) }

I vote 100% Kayla wore it best, with her glowing skin, beautiful blond locks, and skinny-minnie arms!

Kayla, I LOVE you to pieces and am so thankful for and blessed by our friendship! Thank you for not making me feel psychotic during this crazy time!

Antiques and Automobiles

This past weekend we welcomed Week 26. Technically only 12 more weeks to go. It's crazy to think about. I totally am not prepared. Not that if you ever can be. I am still feeling pretty good. Mostly just exhausted at the end of the work day. Being on my feet all day wipes me out, but I am grateful that I am still able to work and that the babies are still handling it well also.


One more week until I get to see them again! CANNOT wait!


Back to the weekend...The McShans came to visit! Finally! They have passed through town several times since we got married, but have not spent a weekend visiting. We had a great time, doing a whole lot of nothing really. Friday night, we went to dinner at J. Alexander's and had lunch at Central BBQ on Saturday. After lunch we browsed a few antique stores in Midtown and came across several things I would have loved to have spent way too much money on...

{beautiful daybed..if you can look past all the pillows}

{loved this buffet}

{awesome console table, which was really a good price, though i have absolutely no room at my house for it}

{awesome bench - quite honestly, if you could find a piece of furniture like this, all it looks like it took was a strong sanding, a coat of paint, a scraper, and some finish}

{loved this dresser - i think because it reminds me of declan's dresser that alicia and redid before he was born}

{not quite sure what this was used for back in the day, but it reminded me of a card catalog..oh the storage possibilities!}

{this used to be a spice and pasta cabinet - very cool and very expensive}

{loved these dining room chairs - the bright paisley print really stood out against the dark wood}

After some antiquing, Kyle and I did the unthinkable...we test-drove MINIVANS! Yes, you read correctly. I always said I would NEVER own a minivan. However, I have watched friends struggle with lifting their little ones into the car. And then I think about loading up two kiddos. And doing so quickly and safely.

And it just kinda makes sense to us.... So the search begins for a good deal. As well as my brainstorming for a cooler word to replace minivan. :)

{loved the odyssey}

After church and lunch on Sunday, Ramona, my mother-in-law, wanted to snap a few pictures so we obliged. I was exhausted, uncomfortable, and not feeling very photogenic.

{big ole 26 week belly}

{and we of course can't have a blog post without that sweet pup of ours. he has no idea what is about to hit him with these babies coming}

Hope everyone has had a great start to their week!

Big Girl In The Big Easy

This past weekend, Kyle and I ventured on down to the Big Easy. I haven't been to New Orleans since college and was quickly reminded why after this weekend. I am just not cut out for all the late night fun, especially while being six months pregnant! My cousin Rachel and Michael were married on Saturday. And if you know or have read anything about my family, you know that we know how to have a good time and get loud. Well, we just stay loud....

We arrived in New Orleans super late Thursday night and crashed. Friday morning, we woke up early and headed to breakfast with my dad and Kim. We ate breakfast at Oceana and then wandered throughout the French Quarter, strolling and browsing.

One thing I was amazed by were all the used book stores. This one particularly caught our eye so we had to check it out...

{love the huge old doors}

{there were so many stacks and towers of old books i could barely fit my growing belly through the shop}

We made our way into Jackson Square...

{james and mattie rose getting a little culture before they take their first breaths}

{St. Louis Cathedral}

Later that day we met up with my aunt, uncle, three cousins, and Gigi and Poppy and hopped on the street car for a stroll through the Garden District. If I had gobs of money and lived in Nola, this is where I would live. I am not sure who wouldn't want to. It was gorgeous!!!

We made our way to the cemetery and learned a little history along the way...

{as morbid as it may appear, it was rather beautiful}

Saturday morning, Kyle and I headed to the lower Ninth Ward to check out the new developments since Hurricane Katrina. We were able to see and learn much about Brad Pitt's project down there called Make It Right. Different modern architects have joined with other suppliers who are donating goods and services to build new eco-friendly, highly-efficient homes for many who lost theirs during the hurricane. Check out the link...It's pretty neat!

All the sight-seeing and walking around worked up an appetite. Since it was a little rainy and chilly, nothing sounded better than beignets and cafe au lait! Where else is there to go in Nola other than Cafe du Monde. D-E-L-I-S-H!

{i should have brought some back with me}

Back to Friday night...

After the rehearsal, everyone who was invited to the wedding got together at Tipitina's for dinner, drinks, and dancing.

{the bride and me}

{me and my cousin nikki}

{parents-to-be}

{this picture doesn't show it, but i managed to wear wedges ALL night. i was rather proud of myself}

{my cousin ashley and me}

{ashley, me, and my aunt mindy}

After a gorgeous ceremony on Saturday night, we got the party started!

{the nachum crew minus alex}

{the belly was rubbed all weekend}

{dad and me}

{family}

{first dance}

{toast from the father of the bride- my dad's twin cliff}

{taking it all in}

{father-daughter dance}

{me and my groom}

{gigi and poppy - almost 60 years of marriage}

{mom, me, and brother}

{cousins}

{creepster}

{the sisters i never had, my dear cousins}

{grandkids}

{after a long night of dancing - i was so nervous about going into pre-term labor from all the dancing}

{silliness - mattie rose and james LOVED the music. they were kicking up at storm all night. though they may have just been confused why mom was up so late instead of being asleep by 9:00 like normal}

The time change messed everyone up Sunday morning, so we all met a little later for breakfast.

{last few minutes before saying goodbye}

Kyle and I headed home not too long after brunch and I kept feeling as if I forgot something. And today I realized what it was. When Kyle came home from work tonight, he made the comment, "I miss everyone already." I couldn't have agreed more. Though my soul is filled after spending such sweet time with family, my heart breaks just a little each time we have to say goodbye. Each family has its own dysfunction and craziness, but at the end of the day I am not sure if I have ever met a family as a whole who loves harder or is more passionate than mine! And though no outsider may ever understand the dynamics of our family, it works for us....

Congratulations again Michael and Rachel! I love you both and cannot wait to watch your family grow over the years!