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"

26 Weeks

26 Weeks Today: Friday May 9th 

On the road again.... Harper has been a busy bee.. We are in Jacksonville, Mississippi for Tyler's girls that are competing in the Jr. Olympic Nationals. Yall.. I absolutely LOVE watching him coach his girls and watching how he interacts with them. When they do good he hugs and fist bumps em' and when they mess up all he has to do is give em' "the look" and they try again. The battle will continue wither Harper will be a Cheerleader (like ME) or a Gymnast (he's adamant about that)!!

Even though it was a long weekend, we had a good time at the competition and enjoyed the local restaurants on the water!

25 Weeks

25 Weeks Today: Friday May 2nd

HELLLOOOOOO San Fran! I'm here for the weekend at a work conference and I'm pretty impressed at how well I'm keeping up with my bestie and fellow staffer Steph! Wedges and walking everywhere will be my workout for the next 3 days! We are learning SO much to take back to teach the rest of the staff and meeting some really top notch business big wigs! 

We didn't have much time to actually see and enjoy the CITY, but we did get a couple hours of shopping and Starbucks! Ready to get back home to the hubby and Coop dog!

24 Weeks

24 Weeks Today: Friday April 25th

OK... so I can't contain my excitement ANNYYY longer!! Some of our Best Friends are preggo too and I can't wait for our kids to grow up together. Nate and Chelsea are a HUGE part of our lives and we are so thankful for their friendship! They are being blessed with a sweet baby girl and Harper's BFF4E,
 Emma Joyce Burns!!! 

On another note, I am obsessed at how these pics came out of my other dear friend's little girl Sawyer! 

And lastly... HAPPY belated EASTER! We had a fun filled day with family at church, lunch and relaxing poolside at the house! Too blessed to be stressed! 

23 Weeks

23 Weeks Today: Friday April 18th

22 Weeks

22 Weeks Today: Friday April 11th

OOOOOOOOOooopperator, won't ya put me on thru I gotta send my love down to Baton Rouge!

Harper had her first road trip to BR Louisiana to take her Auntie Morgan to the LSU Tiger Girl Dance Team tryouts! We couldn't watch the tryouts, but got in alot of good shopping!

 .. Harps got TONS of purple and gold outfits to wear to the LSU games!

        

..AND SHE MADE IT!!! 

An official LSU TIGER GIRL DANCER! So Proud of her and all her hard work! 

21 Weeks

21 Weeks Today: Friday April 4th 

Dear 21st week.... YOU SUCK!

OK, lemme apologize in advance for the no pic this week as we have been a lil' pre-occupied to say the least with this house of ours! It being an older home, we knew there would be updates we needed to make and trust me we had a long list. We've done pretty well with our allowed budget from the beginning but the ONE thing we "splurged" on was our hard wood floors! Beautiful "hand scraped" true wood floors all over the house and up the stairs... 

Yea, that lasted about 3 days before a good ol' copper pipe in the kitchen busted on a Saturday morning. I was walking downstairs to take Cooper out and heard a "SHHHHHhhhhhhhhh". My first though was a window was left open and it was the sound of our palm trees swaying in the morning breeze!  I then basically had to swim to my kitchen (ok... lil dramatic, but not really) Let's just say Niagara Falls was filling my my kitchen/living room/front walkway with 3 inches of water. 

Yall.. WATER can do some DAMAGE! So of course I yell for Tyler and we spend the next couple days ripping up and drying out wood floor. Then, as if it wasn't bad enough comes the insurance claims, industrial fans, water vacuums and my favorite.. MOLD

With having to deal with all that, at the end of the day we have to remember: We are Alive, We are Healthy, We still have a roof over our head and food on the table.. 

(even if that means outside on a TV tray)

 So we ended the day with love and snuggles from our first child, Brownley "COOPER" Clay Holmes! 

I'm pretty sure he knows somethin' is up and things are about to drastically change. He won't be the "only child" anymore, but the BEST big brother ever!

20 Weeks

20 Weeks Today: Friday March 28th

19 Weeks

19 Weeks Today: Friday March 21st