Welcome Friends!

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG!!

 Hope you enjoy it and feel free to leave any comments or advice! We are enjoying this beautiful weekend in Austin and will keep updating this daily. The way this is set up, the most recent post comes first, so some may like it better to scroll all the way down to the very first post, on the first page... and go from there! Thanks Again. We love you all! 

XOXOX,

Ashley - Tyler and Cooper

Road Trippin'

     Well Christmas was a hit.. So much love and quality family time. Now we are on the road to Austin for a family getaway. Tyler booked us a nice hotel and we will check out some new places to eat, shopping and hit up some dog parks with Cooper! I got us all packed up, packed snacks (my "mommy skillz" kickin in), Ty gassed up the Range and we are headed out. This little vaca was much needed before the new year begins.

     I am trying to take in every moment we have together. Just yesterday we slept in till about 10'ish, rolled outta bed, no makeup, hair up and sweats.. Headed to get breakfast at Goode Co. Taqueria.. As we sat at our table waiting for our order to be made Tyler said, "Do you realize that we only have 7 more months of this life and it all changes?! We won't be able to just roll outta bed and grab food at our leisure." It's true, he's right. I didn't think of it like that but, now that it's been brought to my attention I will absolutely cherish every minute we have together. 

     Now that the world knows about Baby Holmes (that was SO hard to keep under wraps for as long as we had too) I want to Thank You for all your sweet messages and comments! Please enjoy this blog and follow us along this crazy ride. We have no clue what we are doing, but that's all the fun of it!

     

Tis' the Season

     Christmas is here and I absolutely love being around family. Tyler's family is so big and all his cousins are pregnant and/or have babies! My family is a little smaller, but just as crazy (if not more)... I think the best saying for our families is "We may not have it all together, but TOGETHER we have it ALL"~ No one knows yet, but we are going to make the announcement on Christmas Day! We had some amazing pictures done by my dear friend Stephanie and I couldn't be more thankful for her friendship and talent! Tyler has been great. So helpful around the house, taking care of Cooper, carrying my purse and shopping bags, bringing me ice water at 4am, and very loving (even with my crazy emotions)! As the year comes to an end I am full of excitement for the next couple of months. I will be a busy momma preparing for this baby to come in August. Stay tuned and Merry Christmas to all of you!

7 Week Update

7 Weeks Today: Friday Dec 20th

* Still no morning sickness

* Having CRAZYYY dreams at night.. like so random.. but REAL

* Energy is still normal

* Next Dr. Appt is Jan 6th and they have to take 6 vials of blood

* Weigh in at 100.2 lbs

* Craving Sonic Ice and Breakfast all day

Craving the Good Stuff

This week the cravings are kicking in. As much as I'm trying to stay in line and eat healthy.. This weakness comes over me and all I have to do is give Tyler "the look" and he knows.. lately it's been 

* Popeyes Chicken and Biscuts w/Red Beans & Rice

* Cinnamon Toast Crunch (it's my Go Too!!)

* Chick Fil A .... always.. #1 w/cheese and sweet tea

* Breakfast ALL day long

* Frozen Fudge Pops

* Arby's Curly Fries (w/Ranch)

* Chicken Pot Pie and Cornbread

* Sonic Ice

*Gringos Green Sauce and Chips

* Doughnut Heaven Sausage and Cheese Kolaches

* Cold, Chilled Fruit

I Blame the Hormones!

     So... No morning sickness, vomiting or dry heaving just YET.. (which so far, I hear I'm pretty lucky to not experience) However, my hormones are going cray cray! On top of a full weekend of home searching (think I've seen every model home in Houston) and new car shopping (that's a whole other blog topic..) this momma is exhausted!!

     I may... or may not..... have had a couple random emotional breakdowns this weekend. For no reason really. Poor Tyler, he just doesn't get it. One minute I'm fine, the next, I just need a good cry.

     The other symptom that's kicking my butt is this whole breast thing. (and that's my specialty!) Being a Breast Consultant and working for Dr. Ciaravino (Best Breast Doctor in Texas and one of the Top Plastic Surgeons in the Nation) I see breast all day long and talk to women about their breast, especially post pregnancy. I walked into work today and not kidding, EVERYONE made a comment on how big mine look. Little do they know they are killing me!! Super tender and sore due to the increased blood flow. My baby apps say my body is "gearing up" to breastfeed and this is normal.

     But lastly, no one ever told me I would turn into Spiderman with these "Spidey Senses"... I can seriously SMELL EVERYTHING from miles away. The good and the bad. (More so the BAD) To the point I have to leave certain places or else I'll get nauseous. Steak, onion rings, cheese, B.O.,burnt toast, trash, money, cleaning products.. you name it...

     I don't know if this will get better or worse as time goes on... but like any new mom I'm trying to embrace it and take everything day by day. I have the best support system and fiancé a girl could ask for!

Baby Holmes

     Talk about Christmas coming early!! That's exactly how I felt the night before our first ultrasound! Even though it's a tiny black dot on the screen.... It's OUR tiny black dot! WE made that! Of course we had our posse (our moms) in the waiting room with us as we all waited for them to call me back. The ultrasound showed us the 2.15cm black dot but even more exciting we heard the heartbeat!

Dr. Ramos, my OBGYN/GYNO was very happy with what he saw at this point. All is well and we will continue my visits monthly.

6 Week Update

6 Weeks Today: Friday Dec 13th

* No morning sickness.. YET

* Craving Chicken Salad and Salsa

* Still have tons of energy

* Made my first Dr appt and just so happens it's on Fri 13th 

*Annoying headaches throughout the day

* Weigh in at 98.2 lbs

* Started my Prenatal Vitamins

Tis' the Season

Both families are obviously SUPS EXCITED and Wedding plans have changed a little bit, but we start December with a new outlook on life and future goals. Building a home, saving money and making plans for the next 9 months have kept us busy. 

I am so lucky to have so many amazing MOMMY Friends to share their knowledge and advice with me! Any little cramp or body ache they assure me is normal. Everyone says we will have the tinniest baby since, (if you haven't noticed) Tyler and I are "Fun Sized". 

Double Lines on Black Friday

     The one day we get to sleep in.. I can't.. 7am and I'm wide awake looking at the ceiling fan. My mind is uneasy and something doesn't feel right. I look over at my phone and realize it is the 29th of November and something hasn't happened. Hadn't started the P! I began to think about my girlfriends at work, my sister and I all have the same once a month party at the same time frame.. I wasn't invited to this months party if you know what I mean.
     I jumped up and remembered I had a random test... I hop outta bed go to the testing lab (bathroom) and proceed to pee. As I placed the test on the bathroom counter all I could think about was the part in Bridesmaids when she's yelling "Look Away!!" but, I couldn't and sure enough.. 2 PINK LINES. This EGGO is PREGGO!
     I didn't know what to think. My heart started racing and the tears came. (Like Kim K, Im an UGLY crier) I didn't know what the tears were for, I just sat there and cried. I had been on the Wedding Train going 100mph and this train just derailed in the opposite direction! My next thought.. Tyler! So I quietly sneak out and head into the bedroom were he is still sleeping.. He randomly rolls over, with one eye open and in his sleepy voice just so happened to ask me "Babe, is everything OK?" As soon as he said that I bust into tears (again) and showed him the test.
     "Ash, is this for real? No, for real.. Is this real? Babe, seriously. For real, Ash?!?" He then got this huge smile on his face and we hugged and cuddled and had a moment. (insert "Awwww" here) He asked why I was crying and I couldn't even answer. I think I was just SO overwhelmed with everything that had just happened.
     You see those 2 pink lines and your life is changed forever. The plans you've made have to be altered and the focus is no longer on you. This pregnancy was unexpected but Tyler and I couldn't be more excited for this experience. God has a plan for us and knows how strong we are together and that we can handle anything he sends our way!

... XOXOX ...

ASHLEY

   

Giving Thanks

     3 family stops and endless turkey. It was sooo good seeing everyone. Our families are so excited for Tyler and I and can see how incredibly happy we are together. The wedding buzz was the topic of convo at each place we went to. Between Tyler's huge wild family and My crazy hispanic family.. PLUS our friends.. this wedding will be the party of the year! For Sure!
     My newly-wed, middle sister, Brittany and her high school sweet heart hubby came in town for the holidays and it's always soo good to see them! She will be one of my Matrons of Honor along with my BFF Laurie, who was recently married as well!

     Ty and I enjoyed visiting with everyone, but it's also so nice to come home to our lil apartment in downtown Houston and cuddle up with our baby boy pup, Cooper!

... XOXOX ...

Ashley 

Dress = Success!

     Dum.. Da. Da. Daaaaa... Dum.. Da. Da. Daaaaa.. Let the wedding planning begin! The first thing Tyler said to me was "I want you to make this the wedding of your dreams.. the location, the colors, theme, whatever you want. The only decision I already made is my 10 groomsmen." (let me repeat that... he said 10 groomsmen! 1-0 of them!) All I could do is shake my head and smile. So the planning began with a theme and colors and the selection of MY 10 bridesmaids. With the hectic holidays approaching I wanted to get on the ball with setting a date, finding a dress and getting stuff ordered. We both agreed on May 17, 2014 and were going to have a big white tent wedding at my boss, Dr. Ciaravino's amazing house in a fancy-smancy neighborhood behind the galleria.
     Date set.. check that off the list.. now what am I going to put these 10 bridesmaids of mine in? Mom, my little sister, Morgan and KK, Tyler's mom, all went out in search for perfect bridesmaid dress. I just wanted to get an idea of dress styles before I brought my "football team of bridesmaids" in the stores with me. Of course, nothing goes as planned and instead of finding them dresses I found one for ME!
     It was on the manican and unlike anything I have ever seen.We were at David's Bridal and lemme tell ya, they have stepped up their game with the Vera Wang Collection!! Mom and KK found their Mother of the Bride dresses and didn't think twice about buying them! (can you tell they are excited?) Of course they didn't have my size in stock and the dress had to be ordered.. all I had to do was call the next day with my CC#.. the next day being Thanksgiving.. so the order would have to wait till Friday! Black Friday.. maybe they would cut me a deal?!?

... XOXO ...

THE BRIDE

An ENCORE to Remember...

KK: "Can you get us two extra tickets to the 21 Pilots Concert?"

Me:  "Umm.. Ya, sure.. I didn't know you guys liked them ?!?"

KK: "Oh yea!! We LOVE them....!!"

** (KK is Tyler's Mom) **

     This should have been the first sign that this wasn't going to be any normal Friday night. Tyler and I were so excited to see our favorite band, 21 Pilots, with our friends Drew and Laeken! Rushing home after work to shower, pick out an outfit and get "concert ready".. Late, as always Tyler and I rush out of the house texting friends that we will be there in 10.. In the car on the way downtown  Tyler and I take heavy breaths, try to relax, clear our minds of the days' stress, and prepare to have a fun filled night. (little did I know, poor Tyler wasn't going to "relax" anytime soon)

     Valeted at the House of Blues and met our friends in the VIP section front and center. His parents sitting at the table behind us.. maybe they really did like this band?!? The concert was all we hoped it would be and more. We sang every song at the top of our lungs and took a million pictures of the lead singer crowd surfing! Towards the end the lights dimmed and the crowd cheered louder for the band to come back for more! ENCORE, ENCORE, ENCORE!!!

     That they did... Tyler immediately had me stand up so we could get a good picture of the band behind us. I was up and posed with my elbow popped waiting for the flash when he turned to me and said (with RED cheeks) "Babe, I had lunch with your Mom today.. " (Me, confused.. still waiting for our picture to be taken).. he then proceeds... "I had lunch with her, and asked her if I could marry you. And she said I could.. So... Babe... " (goes to his knee) (all lights on us) (everyone starts cheering) (little white box in his hand) (flashes of cameras) ... "Will you marry me?" (as he opens the ring box to a shiny ROSE GOLD engagement ring) !!!! Of course I said "YES" (through the tears of joy and excitement).
     The night continued with pictures, and tears and hugs and more tears! I was going to be MRS. HOLMES! Little did I know my life was about to take off.. and here comes the Next Chapter ...

... XOXOX ...

ASHLEY

First Comes Love

Welcome Friends, Family and Fellow Blog Followers... 

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time! I am so excited to share the next couple months with y'all and hope you enjoy this chapter of my life.. I am going to be cheesy for a minute and introduce my love.. Tyler Holmes!

Tyler and I went to High School together (he was 2 years ahead of me), attended Church Camp together in the summers and actually lived 2 blocks away from each other all throughout school. So in reality, he has been in my life THE WHOLE TIME. However, I truly believe God's plan and timing for us couldn't be more perfect. We reunited at the beginning of this year and have been inseparable since! I am SO blessed to have such a sweet, hard working, devoted, funny, strong, family oriented man in my life. We are teammates and he motivates me to be the best woman I can. On that note, I hope you enjoy our story and feel free to give us any advice and life lesson we can take with us along the way! Buckle up, here we go!! 

.. XOXOX..

ASHLEY