Random

Monday night Kyle and I went to Babe's with David and Jen.  I LOVE that place.  The food is so good and they give you so much meat!  Which I guess they should because my chicken tender plate was $11.99!  They have gotten a bit pricey.  My only dislike is that they don't have sweet tea and there isn't one a little closer to us (but that is probably a good thing)

Tuesday I tried a new recipe that I found from a fellow blogger.  It was for Chocolate Chip Pound Cake.  It is so good and I think it is pretty easy!!  Here are some pictures to make your mouth water and wish you were at my house : )  ( I will share the recipe at the end of this blog)

Wednesday I had my last doctor appointment before Cooper gets here.  I am still dilated to a 1.  My blood pressure was normal and Cooper's heart rate was perfect.  She didn't say what it was but she did say that she could tell he was resting for once.  She usually remarks about how active he is.  We discussed the induction again and told her that we had decided to go with July 4th.  I told her I was nervous that Cooper wasn't "dropped" because everyone keeps commenting about how high he is.  She said that just because I am not waddling doesn't mean he isn't in a good position.  She said he is definitely down and thinks he is in a great position.

We will check in to the hospital Sunday evening at 5.  They will give me a medicine to help prep my body for induction.  Then early Monday morning they will give me the pitocin which will actually be what induces me.  From there we will just see what happens.  Hopefully things progress quickly and Cooper will be here with in 6 hours or so.  Luckily my doctor is on call and said she will be patient and just see what happens.  We have all the way until Tuesday morning for him to show up (but hopefully it doesn't take that long).  She said as long as Cooper's doing okay we will just wait it out.  There is always the chance that I could end in a c-section, but she said we won't know until we get started and see what happens.

Again I am nervous and anxious but also so excited to meet our little boy!

4 more days until the big day!!! I can't believe it!!

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Chocolate Chip Pound Cake Recipe

1 (18.25 ounce) package of yellow cake mix

1 (3.9 ounce) package of instant chocolate pudding mix

1/4 cup water

4 eggs beaten

1 cup of sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup of milk chocolate chips

Mix together everything but the chocolate chips.  Then stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 325 for 50 to 60 minutes in a bundt pan coated with Pam.  (I baked mine for 54 minutes at it was perfect).  Let cool in pan and enjoy!

Gender Reveal..better late than never

I am finally getting around to sharing pictures from our gender reveal.  I have been meaning to do it for a while and just kept putting it off.  All of the pictures were on 2 cds and my work computer doesn't have a cd drive so I had to upload them at home.  It has been on my list of things to do for a while, but my home laptop is SOO slow.  I finally did it on Sunday so here we go. (I can't get the pictures in the right order which is really annoying me but I just don't have time to fix it)

Here is the pink team!

Blue Team

The ones that refused to pic a team!

 My friend Christal's little girl playing with Ranger and Riley.

Everyone getting ready to cut into the cakes.  Melisa is on the phone with my sister Angela in Japan.

Chocolate cake said 'Babi' which is my mom's grandma name.

Mimi cutting into the vanilla cake.

Babi was so excited. Look at that smile!

Mimi's cake with blue icing!!

Babi's cake with blue icing!

They were so excited! 

Mimi cutting her cake.

She couldn't wait to cut the cake.  She was like a little kid.

Showing the proof in the sonogram picture

Telling Uncle Tyler because he was away at school.

Proud Mommy and Daddy in neutral yellow!

The two pregos!

Weekend Recap

Friday Kyle and I both took a half day.  I grabbed us some lunch and while Kyle worked on stuff in the garage I took a much needed nap.  I slept for almost 3 hours total thanks to the rough night I had before.  Then Kyle and I went to our favorite Mexican restaurant and just had a chill evening.

Saturday morning we met Kyle's uncle to take some maternity pictures in the park.  It was hot and a little windy but we got some cute pics that I will share later this week.

After pictures we hung out with Kyle's family as they are in limbo between their old house and new house.  Kyle helped his dad move some big items and I just relaxed.  That night we went to Hoffbrau steakhouse for dinner and it was delicious.  They are one of my favorite restaurants.  I love their bread, salad, chicken fried steak, and sweet tea.  And I love to order their fried pickles occasionally.

Sunday Kyle mowed the yard and I went to visit Melisa and my sweet niece MacKenzie.  MacKenzie was such a sweetheart and I enjoyed getting to hangout with them.  Except for me being traumatized when I tugged on our little gown and her umbilical cord pulled off.  It was stuck to the inside of the gown and I didn't know it.  Just for the record she didn't let out a peep when it happened and I was definitely more traumatized as I worried that it was too soon and I also worried that she would have a weird belly button and blame me one day. 

Kyle and I spent the rest of the afternoon putting the finishing touches on Cooper's nursery and doing things around the house.  Sunday night I made a new recipe for the second time.  I tweaked it some and it was good, but I still don't love it.

We had a nice low key weekend.

We now have only 6 days until Cooper gets here.  I only have 4 days of work.  I thought this time would drag by, but it is actually okay because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I can't believe Cooper is finally going to be here!!

Nursery Pictures!!!

We finally putting the finishing touches on Cooper's nursery and I am so excited to share them with you.  I love how his room has a rustic/western flair (thanks to his daddy), but still has the bold colors that I had picked out long before we knew if we were expecting a boy or girl.  I was worried once we found out we were having a boy that it would be too feminine.  But I think it is a great balance between baby and boy!

Close-up with giant Cooper bear in the crib! (excuse my crooked picture taking)

Changing table area with a metal star of Kyle's

(something he bought prior to us being married and we never found the spot for it)

I found this cute basket 50% off at Joann's and loved the star detail

The infamous bookcase!!

I haven't found everything I want to put on the bookshelves but this is a start.

I plan to put the button C project on the first shelf once I have it framed at Hobby Lobby.

I also will put some newborn pics of Cooper once those are taken.

The glider my Granny recovered and the table we painted that matches the bookcase.

The quilt sitting on the foot stool is the one my mom hand stitched and I am going to hang on the wall to the right of the glider.

The fan Kyle put up last week

A close up of the little Cooper bear from Cooper's Mimi and Grandpa. 

Doesn't he look comfy in Cooper's glider waiting to be snuggled!

Close-up of the letters on the wall.

Cooper's books, the Scentsy monkey from Savannah and Brianna, and cute colored blocks!

I love this lamp we found at a local western store.  That photo album is going to have pictures of all our different family members to look at each night with Cooper before bed. (Angela did this with Annelise and I loved it!).  The star thing projects pictures on the ceiling and sings.

My MIL and I bought these this weekend from an idea I saw online.  I love that they go with his bedding.  I plan to use them in pics when Cooper gets here.

I am still trying to decide if I want to get this rug for his room or not.  It is 3 ft by 3ft so I am not sure if it is too big.  The nursery is small and it might have enough going on at this point.

We also decided not to put up curtains for now.  We can always do that down the road if we want them.

I hope you all like it and enjoy the pics.  Sorry it took so long!

38 Weeks!

How Far Along: 38 weeks! 95% through and about 14 days to go!! Except I am being induced at 39 weeks so really we only have 7 days to go!!!
Size of baby: Cooper should be about 6.8 lbs and 19 1/2 inches long however this is purely an estimate because some babies aren't even 19 inches at full term.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 36 lbs. No weight gain this week. 

Maternity Clothes: I hate them but it is so nice wearing them and thinking that soon I will be done with them.  I know that I won't fit in my old clothes right away, but at least once Cooper is here I don't have to dress up for work.  That was the hardest part about maternity clothes.  Being comfy but also dressed up for work.
Gender: Boy!

Movement: I love that Cooper is still so active even if sometimes it makes me feel sick to my stomach.  I just love the reminder that he is alive and kicking and ready to meet us soon!

Sleep: Sleep last night completely sucked.  My back has started hurting the past couple of days which is making it harder to get comfortable at night.  Again oh well I only have 7 more sleeps with Cooper in me.  I can't believe after 9 months I won't have a giant baby bump anymore!

What I miss: my clothes, my normal sized feet, sleeping on my tummy and back

Cravings: waffles, nectarines, kiwi, cookies, anything sweet pretty much : )

Symptoms: swelling, back pain, rosacea (sp?)

Best Moment this week: finding out that we don't have to wait too much longer before Cooper arrives

Worst Moment this week: waiting and the build up to Cooper's arrival.

Other news:  At this time next week I will be in the hospital to be induced.  I am so excited to meet Cooper in just one week, but at the same time the nerves are building up.  Cooper still hasn't dropped down at all and I worry that after being induced I will end up having a c-section.  The situation was similar with my mom and my older sister Angela. 

I try not to over think and just pray about it.  I have to relax and trust that it will all work out.  I trust my doctor and as long as Cooper and I are healthy then it will be okay.

I guess my gut about Cooper's arrival last week was wrong. 

We finished the nursery this weekend and I will do a post later today with all of the pictures!  I love it!

TGIF Randoms

• Now I am also in love with kiwi.  They were on sale this past weekend and I bought some and they are so yummy!  Between kiwi, nectarines, and frozen waffles I am set!
• Our neighbor put a 'for rent' sign in front of his house.  We are kinda bummed.  We aren't close with them, but we do like them.  And we can't help but wonder who will take their place.
• I am taking a half day today.  I slept horribly last night and I have a feeling my tank will be on empty before 11 today.
• Last night I woke up around 2:30 with contractions.  They were strong in my back and I was very uncomfortable.  I decided to go with the 4-1-1 rule (4 minutes apart, lasting a minute each, for 1 hour) before getting too excited.  Right around 3:30 when I was going to wake up Kyle (not sure if they were really fitting the rule, but I was uncomfortable) they slowed down and I was eventually able to fall back asleep.  
• I am feeling okay today besides being tired and having some back pain.  No consistent contractions.
• Yesterday evening Kyle and I tried a burger place that I had a coupon for.  It is called Ted E's Burgers and More.  We thought it was pretty darn good.  The burger was on some sort of sweet roll and was yummy.  The fries had a great taste (a little greasy but that has never stopped me before) and the sweet tea was AWESOME!!  I also got a chocolate milk shake just because with my coupon we had to spend the full $20 (I only paid $10 for it on groupon!)  Overall it was yummy and I would go back!
•  
• Kyle is the proud daddy (or owner) of a baby bull.  The cow that my dad gave him in payment for work around the house and farm was prego again.  They were a little worried about the calf because they thought it's 'due date' was earlier, but I guess he just wasn't ready yet.  This is Kyle's second calf from the cow and he was pretty excited to hear the news yesterday.  Each time she has a calf he sells it for profit so it is a gift that keeps on giving.  Not sure what we are going to name it (Kyle could care less, but I think it will be fun to give it a name!)  I look forward to Cooper getting to name Kyle's or his Grandaddy's cows down the road.  It will be fun as long as he doesn't get attached!
• 9 more sleeps (or less) until our sweet Cooper gets here.  I can't wait to see who he looks like, how much he weighs, and of course how the whole labor/delivery process goes.  Yes I am nervous but I try to just think about the end result instead of the in between.

Kyle's Pre-Father's Day

This year was Kyle's pre-father's day.  He isn't quite a father yet so it was low key.  We went to one of his favorite stores and walked around for a little while.

He found a new hat and a sticker decal for his Father's Day gift. 

Kyle is a pretty simple guy and doesn't like a big fuss out of things (unlike me) so this was right up his alley.  I look forward to celebrating his first official Father's Day next year with Cooper.

If I ever decide to go out I am going to use this creative woman for inspiration.  Is this not this cutest thing ever!!  I absolutely love it!!!

Also here is a horrible picture of me at 37 weeks that I took quickly yesterday morning.  The angle is horrible, but I felt the need to share a picture.  I am looking forward to taking some maternity pictures this weekend thanks to Kyle's uncle!  Maybe then I will actually like some of the pictures of me pregnant!

Next here is a picture of my adorable niece!  Love that sweet girl!! I haven't seen her in 4 whole days!!

And finally-

Kyle and I have decided to go ahead and be induced at 39 weeks.  If Cooper doesn't make an appearance on his own before 39 weeks then we will welcome our little boy on July 4th.  11 days or less until he is here!!

Dr. Appt Update

I was going to do a blog today about father's day, but blogger wouldn't let me upload pictures and was getting on my nerves. So instead I will blog about my dr appt this morning.

I am now dilated to a 1 and the doctor agrees that I have lost my mucus plug.  Heart rate was 152 and blood pressure was 118/84.  Blood pressure is high for me but still in normal range so nothing to worry about.  She thinks Cooper will end up being about 8lbs.

The doctor wants me to consider being induced at 39 weeks.  Based on my body, Cooper's size, and other factors she doesn't think I will go into labor on my own.  She believes that the further I go and the bigger he is the higher my chance of c-section.  She said we will for sure not go past 40 weeks because of those same reasons.  So now Kyle and I get to decide if we want to set Cooper's birthday for July 4th or leave it at July 11th. 

We are still trying to process everything and all of the pros and cons.  I was surprised by all of this because I was thinking he might come on his own any day now.  I still hope that Cooper decides to come on his own whenever he is ready before his scheduled induction date.  Kyle and I will talk about it and let our doctor know by our appointment next Wednesday.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Wednesday!!

Weekend Recap

Friday evening my mom and I went to Dallas to watch my cousins Carleigh and Carsyn in their dance recital.  They were so cute and did a great job.  I also got to see my aunts and girl cousins briefly so that was fun too!

Saturday Kyle and I slept late and then ran lots of errands.  I was exhausted but Kyle did a good job of keeping me motivated to get all of the errands done.  That evening we went to dinner with Kyle's family and I got to show off pictures of MacKenzie. 

After dinner we got to go see Kyle's parents' new house.  They bought a house right next door to Susan's parents and it is a really cute house.  They are having to do some work on it before it will be move in ready, but it is already looking great.  Kyle helped them with some yard work and I enjoyed visiting and supervising.

Sunday morning I went with my mom to church and then we went to Melisa's house to play with MacKenzie and see my Dad who came up to FW for Father's day.  Then I went back home for lunch and worked around the house to get ready for Cooper.  We did some more things in the nursery before running into a couple of roadblocks.  We also cleaned up all of the clutter and packed Cooper's hospital bag.  Kyle did a lot of cleaning in the bathrooms along with dusting and vacuuming while I cleared clutter and did laundry.  We still need to do a bit more cleaning and organizing.  I might take a half day this week to do some last minute things before Cooper gets here and we run out of time.

Sunday evening we went to see Kyle's family again.  We had pizza, pie and ice cream.  I skipped the pie and just enjoyed my Blue Bell ice cream!  We had a nice time visiting, but again I was exhausted and ready to go home to bed.

We had a really nice weekend, but boy was it busy.  The swelling limited me somewhat but we got a lot done.

Yesterday I went grocery shopping after work and got all of our weekly essentials.  Then Jen came over and dyed my hair (It had been over 12 weeks and looked horrible!).  I packed a bag for my car that has one change of clothes and a towel.  I also put a towel down in my front seat just in case my water broke while I was driving.

I had some stronger contractions last night after dinner and before bed but they were 8-13 minutes apart and I was still able to fall asleep.  However I didn't sleep well but that could be because of contractions, getting up to potty, and the loud storms that came through.  (though I am very thankful for the much needed rain!)  Needless to say I did not want to get out of bed this morning and my eyes were so swollen they match my feet!

Tonight I am going to pack my bag and I plan to put all of my toiletries in a bag each morning just in case someone needs to grab it for me.  I also need to pick up a couple of things from Target at lunch and get some stamps from the post office so I can finish up my thank you cards.  I have been a major slacker on my thank you cards!!

Now I will end you with this adorable picture I got yesterday of Miss MacKenzie!!  Seriously adorable!!

37 weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks! 92.5% through and about 21 days to go!!

Size of baby: Cooper should be about 6 1/3lbs about the size of a swiss chard. He is full term and his lungs should be fully developed.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: 36 lbs. 2 more lbs this week.  I am on track to gain 40 lbs total if I went full-term.  I am surprised I have gained this much but with the swelling going on it kinda doesn't surprise me.
Maternity Clothes: I borrowed some clothes from Melisa because with all of the swelling my pants don't fit very well. 

Gender: Boy!

Movement: Cooper is still very active.  'They' say that babies slow down at the end but I am not buying it.  Cooper is always moving and the nurse even comments on it at each of my appointments.
Sleep: Sleep is okay.  Not great and not horrible.
What I miss: my clothes, my normal sized feet, sleeping on my tummy and back

Cravings: Still loving my waffles and nectarines.  I also love the M&M chocolate cookie from Corner Bakery that I had last week.  I have been craving them since.
Symptoms: Still horrendous swelling and some tailbone pain but I am handling that better now
Best Moment this week: The arrival of MacKenzie!!  I am so excited that my second niece is here. I can't get enough of that sweet girl.
Worst Moment this week: dealing with the swelling along with the stress from work.
Other news:  I started having contractions Friday night about 10 minutes apart for 2 hours.  Then I was so exhausted that I went to bed so they calmed down.  I also had contractions Saturday night and off and on Sunday.  We were so busy this weekend that I had a hard time keeping up with them, but I guess that just shows that they must not be too painful.

**TMI Alert**
I am sharing this because I want it for documentation purposes.  I want to remember this for Cooper's story and for my future pregnancies.  Sorry if it grosses you out. 

I lost part of my mucous plug Thursday. I then lost some more Sunday and this morning.  I have no clue if that is all of it or not.  I am hoping that means Cooper is ready to make his debut.  My guess is that he will be here by Friday.  I think sooner though : )

This could be wishful thinking and I could be completely wrong, but that is my guess.

I must admit that I am getting very nervous at this point.  I am so anxious and excited for Cooper to be here, but at the same time I am nervous.  I always thought I would have a scheduled c-section that was at a set time and predictable (I am a planner and this sounded perfect).  Now I am not so sure.  I think Cooper plans to come on his own which is great, but not having a plan is hard.  I have Cooper's bag packed and my stuff gathered (not packed), but am I supposed to take those bag with me everywhere just in case?  How do I really pack when I have to get ready each day for work.  I don't want the stuff sitting in the 100+ degree car all day, but I am still working so it is possible that I won't be home.  Or I could be in the car.  Should Kyle go home and get our bags before we go to the hospital or do we let him or a family member get that later? 

So if you read that entire paragraph you are either thinking I am crazy or laughing because you know me and aren't surprised.  I know I am crazy and an over thinker, but just being honest!

Friday Randoms

• My Friday post is a later than normal because I spent all morning preparing for and teaching a training class to my group.  It was a lot of work but I am glad that part is over.  One more thing I can knock off my list to get done before maternity leave.
• Wednesday a male coworker said "Man you are getting chubby!"  He was smiling when he said so I guess it was just a casual joke or something but seriously it is getting old.  I know that I am huge, swollen and fat.  Move on!!
• I LOVE nectarines!! They never seem to be very cheap, but I buy them anyways.  I could eat 3 or 4 a day easily. 
• For a while now I have craved frozen waffles and I finally bought some and ate them when I had time.  This past weekend I had them Sat and Sun morning.  I even mentioned that I miss not having a toaster at work (when we switched building 2 yrs ago they said they were a fire hazard) where I can have them at work because I am burnt out on bagels and cereal.  When I walked in to work on Monday guess what was on the counter.  A TOASTER!!!  The pregnancy gods heard me and changed my company's mind!!  I have eaten waffles each morning since then and I am LOVING them!!
• I have been trying to drink more water since my dr appt on Wednesday because my feet are so swollen they hurt and even my calves, knees, and thighs are swollen.  (I am VERY limited on my current wardrobe)  I had more than 48 ounces on Wednesday and more than 60 ounces on Thursday.  I have seen NO improvement.  This just really sucks!!
• When I got home I saw my phlox have started to bloom and they made me smile.  I only have 2 little flowers so far, but in a couple of days they will all be full!!
• When I got home I also saw my husband putting together the bassinet and again I smiled!!  We are going to finish up everything for Cooper's nursery this weekend and then I pinky swear I will share pictures!!

• Last night I went to Sonic for Kyle and I.  I tried the new Double Stuffed Sonice Blast.  It was a little too sweet for me so I only ate half of it.  I like the snickers or butterfinger better.
• I love going to places that have coupons on their receipt.  I eat out a lot and I am more than happy to call the number or go to the website to do the survey for a free or discounted item.  Chickfila has started doing the survey for a free sandwich.  It isn't on every receipt but I try to fill it out as often as I get it.  Yesterday the Sonic receipt says to do the survey for a free Route 44 drink.  Heck yeah! 
• I am exhausted after my training class and really just want to go home.  I am feeling a little irritable and I am tired of hearing every one's solutions for helping my swelling.  Right now I am trying to remind myself that in 2 hours I get to leave and see MacKenzie before heading to Dallas with my mom to see Carleigh and Carsyn in their dance recital.

Dr. Appt Update and Mac

Yesterday I went to my weekly doctor appointment.  The doctor's scale showed that I gained the same weight as my home scale and the nurse said it was from the swelling (I hope she is right).

Cooper's heart rate was 137 and as usual he was very active.  My blood pressure was a little high today so we will watch it.  She said it wasn't anything alarming, just high compared to my normal.  I kinda expected my blood pressure to be high because my mom and I had already talked about how my swelling and back pain might affect my blood pressure.

The doctor came in and agreed that my swelling is much worse.  She emphasized again drinking more water and eating less salt.  She also encouraged to elevate my feet more and buy compression panty hose (I don't know what those are really, but I have heard of them and at this point am considering them!).  She said my bump is measuring right on track and when I asked her if she had an estimate of Cooper's size she said about 6lbs.  If he gains 1/2 a lb a week like the average baby then he could be 8 lbs by birth!  Assuming I go to 40 weeks : )

She checked me for progress and said I am at about a fingertip.  I am no longer completely closed like last week, but I am not open enough to consider it a 1.

I also asked her about my tailbone pain and she said that it is just everything shifting to get ready for birth.  It is likely the way that my bones have shifted and are now rubbing together to cause this pain.  Nothing I can do for it except take paid medicine as needed.  I am trying not to take it if I can.  I try to just sit on my hips more instead of straight up.

Overall the appointment went well and once again I am eager to go back next week.  My gut tells me that I will not go to 40 weeks.  I really need to make it at least 1 more week (really 2) as far as work is concerned though many coworkers have expressed that they need me all the way until the 11th due to a project I am working on.  I hope that he is here before then.

And I will leave you with sweet pictures of my adorable niece MacKenzie.  I went to see her yesterday at lunch before going to my doctor's appointment and then I went again later yesterday evening.

 Mac at 12 hours old!!

Mac at 1 day old

Don't you just love that giant pacifier!!

They will probably come home today, but I am not sure if I will see them.  Melisa has had so many visitors so I will just play it by ear on how things are going as they adjust at home.  Luckily they live only 15 minutes away from me so I know I will get to soak up lots of time with this sweet little girl!