MOM LIFE

Lemme tell ya about the mom life thus far....

     First off.. I'm gonna give myself some credit and say that I'm pretty good at this. I guess being the oldest of three girls, I've always had this motherly instinct. Harper is not only my "mini me" with her head full of hair, but she is super alert and active. I love her little button nose and open mouth slobber kisses. SO MUCH.. Like I could eat her! (weird, I know.. but I seriously love her that much)

     Post delivery I felt great. I was back on my feet quicker than I thought I'd be. Of course the jumbo pads and leaky breasts are just a tad annoying, but all part of it. During delivery I tore a little bit and needed 3 small stitches which was fine, but no one warned me about the "pregnancy down there after care". 

     To any new/soon to be moms I recommend you prepare your bathroom with these items: Super absorbency pads (WITH wings), Dermoplast (pain relieving spray) for the burning sensation down there after you pee (that was THE worst). If you are breast feeding, Lanolin cream for chapped nipples, the gel pads from target ( I swear by these!! Heat for 30 sec and put over breasts 5 min before feeding/pumping), nursing pads for leaky nipples, and an easy access nursing bra. Last but not least, lavender oil to relax and soothe you at night before bed.

     My breast feeding experience wasn't what I hoped it would be. I went into this thinking "Ok, I can do this, it cant be that hard"! I feel like the moms of the world today feel SUPER pressured into breast feeding and obviously doing what best for the baby. Harper didn't have a good latch onto my nipple and it was horrible! You guys, I'm not kidding. AWFUL. She felt like a piranha and had such a hard suck. I was ok in the hospital the first two days after she was born, but when I got home it was a whole different story.

 My milk came in and my breast were GI-NORM... I would cry crocodile tears every time it was time to feed. I had to tell myself to push thru the pain and remember that this was the best thing I could do for my baby girl. She fed every 3 hours or so, I would switch from left to right breast and I even had this super great app on my phone that would alert you when it was time to feed. After the first whole week of breast feeding I was still unhappy with the process and I started feeling down on myself.. I pulled myself outta this slump and realized it wasn't worth postpartum feelings because of the pain and frustration. So I sent my mother in law to the store for formula and Waaa-laaahhh happy baby. After her first bottle she slept for a solid 3 hours and was way more content than she had been the last couple days. 

And so it begins...

HOME SWEET HOME

FIRST BATH 

FIRST SMILE

 BLESSED WITH SO MUCH LOVE

Harper's Birth Story

     Oh hayyyyy... Welcome Welcome... I know I am SUPER behind and SO much LIFE has happened since my last post, but this whole "mom thing" doesn't allow for much downtime to sit and write my life story. I'm no Carrie Bradshaw, but I really do enjoy this and I promise to not let so much time pass between posts. (scouts honor) So without further procrastination.... My delivery story 6 weeks too late:

What had happened was...

     My "40 week" appointment was Thursday August 7th .. and I just knew Dr. Ramos was going to say "Well, Ash..Hope you brought your bags, you are ready to go.. lets admit you"!! Instead, he gave me the whole "you look great, lets just wait and let it happen naturally" speech. Tyler was totally on board with waiting and me.. well, I threw a fit and cried when he left the exam room.

     Later that day my group text was blowing up with the "Well, what did he say? Is it go time?" Once I told them the news they all jokingly advised me to eat a greasy pizza or to have sex... Ummm yea.. I was only in the mood for ONE of these.. you guessed it.. bring on the PIZZA!

     Fast forward to 4am Friday morning.. the feeling I had been waiting on for 9 months.. I remember asking everyone, "..But what do contractions feel like"? .. and each response, "When you know you KNOW" .. let's just say I KNEW! I woke up with lower back pain and felt the need to poop standing up.. (I didn't, of course) But laying in bed, on my back was the last thing I wanted to do. 

I got up and did some laps in my bathroom, pacing back and forth taking deep breaths.. I began to feel normal again. Maybe I just needed some water. I went downstairs and both sisters were asleep on the couch (sister slumber party) as soon as they heard me, they popped up and said "WHATS WRONG"?! They could tell I was trying to keep my cool. I did a couple more laps in the kitchen and the contractions started again. I had to sit and felt the need to push.. Ty came downstairs with my bags and said "Ok babe, I called the hospital and I think we should go". I was SO nervous!! 

We made it to Texas Women's Hospital in like 15 min since it was 4:30am and no one was on the road (that was another fear of mine.. being in rush hour traffic while in labor) We parked, they wheeled me up and I had pre-registered so I went straight to a room. All the while the contractions made me just wanna scream and cuss.They lasted about 3 min each and were coming more often. 

This next part, I'm told I am really LUCKY to have experienced without a drop of sweat. 

     I was cozy in my bed, hooked up to the IV. My mom, sisters and mother in law had all got there and were taking turns coming in my room since they only allow 3 people in at a time. Tyler was feeding me ice chips and rubbing my head. The nurse checked my dilation  (when I got to the hospital it was 2cm) and it was at 6cm. The look on her face was surprised as she told me "Ok, you are dilating pretty quickly so don't mind me as I run around frantically to prepare this room for your delivery". She called the anesthesiologist to come for my epidural (which was AWESOME). Within 10 minutes of getting the epidural I was at 10cm. and feelin like a champ! She had me roll over from my side and set up in the stirrups. We did about 3 practice pushes before she said "Lets stop pushing now cause I can see her hair coming out!! (you can imagine the look on my face!!) I'm going to have them notify Dr. Ramos and as soon as he gets here we will have this baby"! Dr. Ramos walked in 5 minuted later and it was showtime.

     I had said from the beginning that I didn't want Tyler "down there watching" He was instructed (by me)  to stay above my knees helping me push probably while I yelled obscene things at him (like they do in the movies, right?!) However, he was so in the moment he said "Babe, this is such a beautiful thing, I cant help but watch" and 5 pushes later our sweet baby girl was out. 

Seriously SO easy! 

Thoughts from my Heart...

     I am absolutely obsessed with blogs and peoples' opinions on things and how they view life.. This specific one touched my heart this morning. I am a lil' emotional as I sit at my work desk for the last time before I start maternity leave next week. I realize that my life is about to change and I will just have to take things day by day. I have been in a place of "In Between" both emotionally and physically. My old self, My new self.. My old Life.. My new life.. trying to balance with one foot in each world. It's exhausting.... Not knowing what the future holds. I know it's going to be beautiful, but geezzzeee I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared outta my mind. I am so thankful and blessed to have a supportive group of friends and family literally waiting on standby for the "event of the year"! (Harper's arrival) Please take the time to read this blog (just click the link) and take it all in.. As women we feel the need to not only have it all together but KEEP it all together! This reminds us that
"It's going to be ok"...

http://www.scissortailsilk.com/2014/07/21/what-you-probably-need-to-hear-the-most-right-now/

37 Weeks

37 Weeks Today: Friday July 24th

"Well, she is running outta room in there! Looks like you are about 3cm dilated and Harper has a strong heartbeat..  Have you noticed or felt anything different? As of now we still just wait until she is ready. Could be any day... Again, make sure you have the car seat properly installed and your bags in the car, ready to go "

-Dr. Ramos

Weighing in at 127 lbs.. and normal blood pressure I still feel energized. My feet are swelling more so at the end of my day and my ring doesn't fit anymore! : (  Ty has been helping me out alot around the house and cooking dinner for me. There is still a ton I wanna do to her nursery, but I have convinced myself not to stress over it because she won't be in there for a while anyways! Hospital bags are packed and ready.. All my cute pjs are washed and ready for when I get home. All her clothes are washed and hung up.. and here we are.. just waiting.
To be continued.....

Maternity Picture Disaster

     Sooo.. I have officially had my first Pregnancy Pity Party and it came at the worst time! Maternity Picture Day! The day, as a photographer, I have been looking forward too! On this day, of course it's pouring rain in my neighborhood and when it finally decides to stop it's 1200 degrees outside and mosquitos are swarming everywhere! So we make a run for it when the sun comes out.

      I had both my outfits planned out, Tyler's pants ironed, Coopers bandanna ready and we were set! 

My very dear high school friend Stephanie was shooting for us (she did our initial pics when I first found out I was pregnant and made our announcement).. She is amazing. She knows my style and understands how I like the lighting and details of the pics. She met us at the location and we were chasing the sun for the perfect rays! 

     15 minutes into it... I felt it.. and it hit me like a ton of bricks.. not to mention the humidity, mosquitos, swollen ankles and boob sweat... I went back to the car, alone.. to change to the next outfit and caught a glimpse of my reflection in the window.. talk about DUNZO... I lost it.. the ugly cry was in full force and there was no stopping it. Which then lead to swollen nose, messed up lashes, puffy cheeks and overall gross face. I just didn't feel pretty or radiant like I wanted to feel. I lost all confidence in myself, therefore it was going to show in the pictures. Steph and Tyler were a ways away and I had to signal to them to "come here" cause I was so choked up.. I couldn't get anything out.. you guys.. I WAS A MESS! Talk about drama queen! Of course Ty runs to me thinking something is "Really Wrong".. I felt so embarrassed, but at the same time my emotions and hormones just got the best of me. 

As always, Steph pulled through and produced some awesome pics I will forever be grateful for. Even though we didn't get the chance for my outfit change, Tyler and I are so happy with how these turned out. As a mom of three Steph knew exactly how I was feeling at the moment and assured me I was beautiful and that she was really happy with the shots she had already taken. We called it quits early and Ty took me and my crybaby pitiful face to Sonic for an ice cream and then home to relax in a bubble bath. 

Cooper LOVE!

With all the baby excitement in the house we have to remember who the first child was... This Kid!

Brownley "COOPER" Clay Holmes 

(Yes, like Bradly Cooper)

He has been our #1! I may be a lil bias, but he IS the smartest, most loving lab in the whole world! Cooper, our English Chocolate Lab,(that's why his head is square) is about 16 months and is so ready to be a big brother. It's funny how dogs can sense a change in routine. Coop always sleeps in HIS bed in OUR room. Lately, when I wake up to find his bed empty he has gone over to Harper's room... 

He normally hasn't been allowed in there while I've been decorating and getting things ready, but when I saw his sweet face looking at me from across the hall the other morning my heart melted! HE KNOWS! He doesn't chew or mess anything up. He simply just wants to be in there. He knows the love and energy that room is about to have!

I wanted to do something special for him so he still gets attention when Harper arrives so I signed him up for Bark Box! It's amazing! It's a monthly box (I'm obsessed with them) that comes in his name and has goodies for him. Simply go to the link www.barkbox.com , select your size dog and how often you'd like to receive the boxes! His first one arrived this week and it was perfect! Even Tyler was impressed! It came with a long jerky chew toy, some organic biscuits, a frozen treat and his favorite a new pool toy to fetch!

We are so in love with him and can't wait to see how he reacts to having Harper around. 

36 Weeks

36 Weeks Today: Friday July 18th

"You are full term.. good to go any day now.. She's about 6 lbs and I don't anticipate her getting any bigger. She's head down and ready. Take it easy this next week and just relax.. Call me if you feel any contractions and pack your bags, cause she's coming"

-Dr. Ramos

Helloooooo 36 weeks... THIRTY SIX weeks! It seems like the beginning of my pregnancy the weeks were dragging on and now I'm like wait wait slow down!!! Ready or not, here she comes! I think for the most part we are ready! We've been spoiled by our friends and family and Harper is set on everything she needs including clothes that will last her till Prom! I'm not kidding.. (shoes to match, of course)

I'm feeling good.. normal as I can be. The pressure down there is starting to take a toll on my small frame. and the wabble is no longer a dance move, but my everyday walk. I pee every 10 minutes and cant drink enough water. Last night I woke up in so much pain due to my Charlie Horse leg cramps.. those are no joke! Ty popped up (prob thinking my water broke) and was like "Babe Babe, whaa whaa whats wronggggg"? I could barely speak enough to tell him to flex my heel back to make it stop! So awful!
So now we just sit and wait till the princess is ready to make her arrival! 

Also, today we celebrate Poppa Bear's 30th Birthday!
I love him so much and I know I have said it a million times, but I really can't wait to see him with Harper. We were on the couch last night and she was being a wild child in my belly and he was just in awe of how a woman'd body can stretch and adapt to growing a baby. She is totally going to be a Daddy's Girl and have him wrapped around her little fingers!

Pretty in PINK!

Sunday we were showered with love from my girlfriends from work. They are seriously all like sisters to me! I can only hope and pray Harper has genuine friends like mine! Once again, it was all so perfect! Pink EVERYWHERE! The thought and little details my friends put into this shower for us from the decor to the cake to the amazing custom Harper cookies was all so special. 

and to call myself out now... YES.. I wore the same outfit! I had such good feedback from it the first time.. Why not? and to make it even better Tyler help me pick it out and put it together!!  (as I was throwing a fit in the Francesca's dressing room cause nothing fit me right) So props to you babe!!! 

Friends, Family & Baby Shower Fun

I am absolutely overwhelmed by the LOVE our friends and family have for our baby girl! Everyone is SO excited for her arrival and having that support is unlike anything I have ever experienced... IN MY LIFE!

Needless to say, we were spoiled rotten this weekend. 

Saturday we had our Family & Friends Luau Shower at my in laws house and it was so perfect. 

It's rare to have family members, cousin in laws and step parents all together at the same time. I have to say I caught myself looking around and getting emotional just seeing "OUR FAMILY" together.

Tyler and I are SO blessed to have such great couple friends! These guys have been in Tyler's life since elementary and their wives are such strong, beautiful women that I'm lucky to call MY friends! We've made so many great memories and I can't wait for and all our kids to grow up together!! Such a cool feeling!

"Our World Is Better With Friends Like Yall"

xoxo- Ash and Ty

35 Weeks

35 Weeks Today: Friday July 11th

OK... I'm entering the "Uncomfortable" stage.. I've been super blessed to have an easy pregnancy thus far. No morning sickness ever, normal hormones (well, sorta),  no crazy cravings, no heart burn or high blood pressure swelling. However, I have a feeling these last couple weeks are going to go by soooo slow. I can't sleep. I wake up every 10 min cause I just can't get comfy, my back is achy and I cant easy roll over or get up to pee cause it's all a process. Meanwhile, Ty is sound asleep so peaceful, I wanna just hit him with a pillow!! #thestruggle

On another note I can't get enough time with my husband. Even if we are just doing nothing.. we are together.. Just us... I'm trying to take it all in. I know these first couple weeks/months with Harper are going to test the strength of our relationship. He is SO excited and I can't wait to see him become a Daddy. 

We have our last two baby showers this weekend and I love love love all the LOVE our friends and family already have for Harper! I can't wait to post pics and show yall all the goodies she gets! Stay tuned! 

34 Weeks

34 Weeks Today: Friday July 4th

Can you believe it's already JULY?! This year is flying by! 

     This weekend we celebrated the 4th of July.. and Ty and I are finding out how much things are changing. I would normally be searching PacSun or Target for the cutest fringe American Flag bikini and Ty some sorta Urban Outfitters America Beach theme outfit to celebrate in style.. 

Packing the cooler with Coronas and cut limes, charging up the Beats by Dre Pill and throwing all  the dark bronzing oils we could find from last summer in a bag. 

     Instead, we had a very low key Family Friendly day. We managed to scrounge up some red, white and blue, took Cooper to the Friendswood neighborhood park, ate sno cones and visited at the little craft tents that were set up. That lasted about an hour before we were drenched in sweat from the TEXAS heat.. so back to the house we went. We were perfectly content watching Netflicks on the couch in the AC on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. All that mattered is that we were TOGETHER..relaxing... (in the AC)! 

This is Coop and I waiting in the car cause Ty was determined to find him a red bandanna. Makes me laugh, but also makes me think of how he is going to be with Harper.. Wanting her to have the best of everything!

Happy 50th Birthday MOM!

Dear Ma,

I wanted to tell you that on this day we celebrate YOU. You are, and always have been the most amazing person. You have taught Morgan, Brittany and I to be strong, independent, hard working, loving women. No matter what life throws at us, you have taught us to handle all things with faith and grace. Your godly spirit and motivational attitude always reminds me to stay positive and smile big. I am freaking out as the weeks pass that I will soon become a mother and I can only hope I can teach Harper half of what you have instilled in me. You will be the BEST MIA and I can't wait to see your love for my baby girl. I love you to the moon and back and I know you were dreading 50 but your spirit is still 25!

I love you always, 

XOXOXO

Your First Born

ASHLEY NICOLE

P.S

You were right........ about pretty much everything. 

33 Weeks

33 Weeks Today: Friday June 27th

I'm back with the belly pics AND I found my most favorite Walmart bra! I had lost it as you could tell but low and behold I found it in my drawer at work.. (where I put it so I WOULDN'T loose it)! I blame it on the Preggo Brain!! Which IS a REAL THING! 

Weighing in at a whopping 124 lbs.. I've gained 27 lbs since before I was pregnant. The waddle has kicked in and the restless nights are starting to effect me. I just can't get comfortable and it's a full on process to roll from the left to the right.. I have to get like a windup to turn over.

 My lips are swollen in the morning and I kinda like the Angelina Jolie look! My fingers and feet swell only at night to the point I cant wait to take my ring off which is normally a little loose on me.

I'm not craving anything specific as far as food, but can't drink enough water with lemon!

People keep asking me how I'm going to decorate her room and this is the "Inspiration Collection" I made to better explain myself. I'm not much of a baby pastel girl myself so we are going with the Ombres of PINK... from light to hot to magenta! Her crib bedding I found on the most precious site www.cadenlane.com ! Highly Recommend! 

Here are some more HARPER "Must Haves"... Can't wait to meet this little girl!

32 Weeks

32 Weeks Today: Friday June 20th

     My first selfie in Harper's room! It's all slowly but surely coming together. Crib and dresser are in and now to organize through all the baby stuff we got at her baby shower! So much PINK! My hips are hurting and belly is definitely getting bigger. My Braxton Hicks contractions are no joke. My belly gets SO SO SO hard and lasts about a minute then it softens up. Not painful, just very uncomfortable.

 Ty is in Poppa Bear mode!! Wanting me to rest as much as possible, cleaning up little things around the house, fluffing the pillows how I like them and even rubbing my feet (without me asking)... He loves to feel her hiccups that shake my whole belly (which by the way is the most precious feeling EVER)!

 I'm starting to get real nervous about the whole delivery process. I guess I'm more nervous about the "unknown" .. Can I do this naturally? Will I need a C Section? What if my epidural wears off? Am I gonna poop myself (that should be a whole other blog on it's own).. Will I be able to breast feed? What color hair is she gonna have? Who do I want in the room with me? Etc...

Just an overload of questions I have in my head on a daily basis. I love hearing how other people dealt with these situations so feel free to comment and tell me your story! I know everyone has a different experience and I just need to relax and have faith it will all be perfectly fine. 

31 Weeks

31 Weeks Today: Friday June 13th

So much going on this weekend! We have FINALLY picked a crib and of course that couldn't just be an easy process... I kid you not, the 3 we had picked out at the store were no lie... 

-Discontinued

- On Back-Order for 5 weeks

-or Wouldn't ship for another 10-12 weeks!

So, note to new mommies.. order that stuff early! I apparently didn't get the memo!

But once we picked one they had IN STOCK, the process was smooth sailing! The coolest part was the next morning when I looked around the corner of our bedroom and could see straight into her room! 

So SURREAL! This. Is. Really. Happening.

The next day we had Baby Shower 1 of 3! Tyler's gymnast threw us a shower at the gym and they were all so excited to see us open their gifts for Harper! Good to know we have about 100 babysitters on call at any time! They are going to spoil her so much and I cant wait to see that! 

And to end the weekend I got to celebrate with my cousin in law, Katy who is due 3 days before me! Katy and I went to high school and even cheered 3 years together. Most importantly, Katy is the reason for all this.. the blog, the baby and the smile on my face... I was the photographer at her wedding and she just so happened to have a super cute cousin that asked me for my number at the end of it all! Like I said before, Tyler and I knew each other in HS, but if it weren't for Katy.. we would have never reconnected so many years later! We have been inseparable since then and it's such a fun story to tell!

**The night of Katy's Wedding ~ The night I met my husband!**

 I can't wait for Harper and Kase to grow up as cousins and start a whole other generation of family!

30 Weeks

30 Weeks Today: Friday June 6th

So the lil' sis finally graduated and Momma's coop is finally empty. However, this is perfect timing for Baby Harper to come so "Mia Ruth" can spoil her to pieces! 

My other sister that you guys never hear about came in town! Brittany is married to her high school sweet heart and they live 3 hours away out in the country where she teaches Kindergarten! I miss her so much so we have to make the best of the weekends they are in town!

We have, for the most part, all got along pretty well.. Growing up there was the occasional "She stole my makeup/ jeans/ new top I haven't even worn yet" fights but other than that, we were pretty close and supported each other in everything! I could not live without my sisters and Harper will definitely have siblings to grow up and make memories with!

On another note, when Ty and I get in bed and I think he is asleep, he will roll over and say "Babe.. seriously?! WHAT is Harper going to look like"?!?!? hahah we cannot WAIT to meet our little angel and spoil her rotten. Tyler was your typical white boy. Light skin, green eyes and dirty blonde hair. I, on the other hand looked more like a baby monkey! Born with a head full of hair that mom couldn't do anything with and big ol' brown eyes.. So go ahead and see if you can figure this combination out, cause we sure cant!! Couple more weeks and the mystery will be solved! 

WWJD?!

Sometimes when I'm feeling overwhelmed with this process of becoming a mom and everything I have to look forward too and be prepared for... I think to myself: WWJD?!

What Would JADE Do?

Jade and I have been friends for about five years now and our friendship has grown in so many ways. We worked together for Dr. Ciaravino before she became a stay at home mom and she is also my amazing photography assistant when I have to shoot weddings. Basically, I cant live without her. 

She is someone I have always looked up too. She is the epitome of "Super Mom". Jade has 2 sweet little girls, Audrina and Brielle. Audrina has recently been diagnosed with Autism and seeing how strong Jade has been in her ongoing  research and therapy has made me realize the job of a mommy is never done! (not to mention the help of her amazing hubby JASON)... cant forget him!

I wont go into details about Audrina's Autism because it's still a little confusing to me, but she handles it all with grace and patience. So admirable! 

So as the weeks are passing and I have yet to buy or prepare anything for my child.. I call up Momma Jade and we head to register at Buy Buy Baby and Tarrrr-J ! Talk about OVER -WHELM- ING!!!! 

First time mommies, Do Not.. I repeat DO NOT try and do this alone. There are SO many different nick nacks to choose from. Some you need some you don't.. Jade was SO helpful not only cause shes done this a time or two but because she knows ME! As I was looking at the super sleek, modern looking three wheeled baby stroller that costs $800 she directed me to the less expensive "more practical" 3 in 1 one!

 I did however ding the black leather high chair! (Yall it was super cool and unlike anything I've seen! something a rock star's kid would be eating from)! 

Also, as you can see in the pic.. I found and fell IN LOVE with this back brace thing that holds my belly up! Sure I look like I work at Home Depot, but it's like heaven! I didn't even care that I wasn't hiding it under my dress! Needless to say I bought it and highly HIGHLY recommend it! You'll THANK ME later! Just do yourself a fav and GET ONE!

Later that weekend Ty and I had his End of the Competition Season Banquet for his gymnasts! They were all SO cute and dressed up with lip gloss and curled hair. Soo different to see them done up like little women when normally all you see is a messy high pony, leotards, and chalk covering their face!

29 Weeks

29 Weeks Today: Friday May 30th

Hello 29 weeks... and Happy 28th Birthday to Me!

When I was in my early twenties.. I made sure EVERYONE knew it was my birthday and you best believe I would drag it out the whole month long! As I have become more mature in my older age, I have come to conclude... it's just another day. 

This year, on this day.. I didn't feel the need to "celebrate" 28. Yes, I'm still alive and healthy and growing a human in this 28 year old body of mine, so of course that's a blessing and something to be celebrated. However, this year instead of hittin' the club for bottle service in a tight black dress with a sash that says "Birthday Girl" I was hosting my sisters graduation party in our backyard. Everything turned out great and I was even surprised with a huge cake and gift cards to my fav pre-natal massage place! My kinda gifts!!!

It was nice to have family and friends over for Morgan's graduation party and share our home and backyard with everyone! So needless to say I felt successful and accomplished as the high schoolers were gawking at the backyard and outdoor patio! 

One even told Tyler, "Excuse me sir, is this your house? It looks like something off Pinterest"! hahahah BEST COMPLIMENT EVER if you ask me!!!!

28 Weeks

28 Weeks Today: Friday May 23rd

Ty and I celebrated our ONE YEAR together this week and looking back we have done SO much.. More than most people do over a 5-10 year period....
~ Got engaged
~ Planned a wedding
~ Found out we were expecting
~ Bought a new car
~ Bought a house in the burbs'
~ Remodeled a house
~ Prepared for a baby
~ and still are madly in LOVE!

Don't get me wrong, not all days are butterflies and bubbles... For example.... Please tell me you guys feel like this sometimes too!

 We have managed to work together as a team to over come the stresses of life and busy schedules. My biggest thing is making sure we keep an open line of communication! That is HUGE! Some days it takes more patients than others.. I couldn't imagine my world with anyone else and I am so looking forward to this next chapter of our lives! 

27 Weeks

27 Weeks Today: Friday May 16th 

This has been the FIRST free weekend we've had in a LONG time! With the hustle and bustle of the house repairs (still not done) and Tyler's busy gymnastics competition schedule there hasn't been much time for US. So we have made it a point to relax in Galveston and enjoy this awesome weather as a family!

Since we can't do much inside the house, we have focused our attention to the backyard landscaping which we have done ALL ON OUR OWN! So proud of my hubby and his new obsession.. Give the man a yard hat, some gloves, a shovel, a glass of ice tea and he goes to town! 

With the end of the school year coming up I proudly sat thru my little sisters Senior Dance Recital. She is a beautiful dancer and I cant wait for her to teach my baby girl her moves! I started dancing when I was 2 and plan on putting Harps in classes as soon as I can!

These weeks are flying by and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed... With the house under construction, Morgan's High School graduation, baby showers, work and training the girls who will be filling in for me while on maternity leave, paying bills, and enjoying the last couple weeks with my husband. 

I know God will only give me what I can handle, but Momma Bear is on the verge of a break down.. 

Nothing a little bubble bath (with my favorite products) cant make better! 

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my Amazing Momma! 

Lemme tell you a lil bit about my mom:

~ She is SO Self-less

~ She makes sure we never do/did without

~ She has taught us to treat others how we want to be treated

~ She makes THE best comfort food

~ Her house ALWAYS smells like candles

~ She looks amazing for her age and has flawless skin
~ I love her small, nubby hands and she gives the best rubs
~ She's always down to order a margarita
~ She is SO excited to be "Harper's MIA"