38 Weeks

look at that belly - 0h my gosh!

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: size of a mini watermelon - wow!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 20 lbs

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: dresses, tunics with leggings - my favorite - dress pants are now uncomfortable & really don't when I sit. Allen's workout shorts are my new best friends :)

Movement: yes but not as often as he was moving, I think he is running out of room!

Sleep: not sleeping all that well...wake up several times & sometimes stay up for a while

What I miss: being able to sit, lay comfortable & just being able to move around easily

Cravings: ice water - crushed ice

Symptoms: feet/ankles/legs swelling, fingers swelling (I can no longer wear my Aggie ring :( so sad!), have this horrible rash that itches like crazy, ahh!!

Best Moment this week: Doctor telling us that we will be having a baby next week! Eeekkk!!! So surreal...

Oh another wonderful story, I don't want to forget. Most morning I try to stop at the Shell station (Texas Star) for some hot chocolate. I've carved hot chocolate while I've been pregnant. There are always 2 ladies in there working the register. They are always so kind & cheerful. The lady who was ringing me up asked of course the typical oh when are you due? You look like you are about to have a baby any day now...I said yes ma'am, hopefully sooner than later but I am due December 23rd. She says "oh a Christmas miracle, how awesome is that?" I said yeah I'm pretty blessed. She said, "oh what a wonderful blessing. It is the best thing in the word!" She went on to tell me about her twins and how she has a boy & he is so much fun! She said well God bless you & your b baby & I hope everything goes well for you. I kindly thanked her and walked out to my car.

When I got into my car, tears filled my eyes! See that morning I just did not want to get out of bed...it was just one of those mornings. It was at that moment that I thought, it is amazing where God might show up! At the local gas station...while I'm buying hot chocolate...while I'm extremely late to work & stressed over being late...again! I felt so loved by that conversation by a lady I don't even know. I also thought once again, how awesome is it that yet another person shared in the joys of me having a baby. To me it was just another reminder that God never forgets about us...He shows up when we least expect Him to and in the most unusual places.

I wanted to go back & hug that lady - totally made my day!

37 Weeks

How Far Along: 37 weeks {considered full-term, yet you still have 3 weeks to go :-/}

Size of baby: size of a watermelon - wow!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 20 lbs

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: dresses, tunics with leggings - my favorite - dress pants are uncomfortable when I sit & Allen's workout shorts are my new best friends :)

Movement: yes all the time! you can see him rolling around under my shirts, he gets the hiccups often too

Sleep: is an ordeal...some nights are better than others, night time is my least favorite time, ha

What I miss: being able to sit, lay comfortable & just being able to move around easily - not having to potty all the time

Cravings: ice water - ice chips & sweets

Symptoms: feet/ankles/legs swelling, fingers swelling (I can no longer wear my Aggie ring :( so sad!), headaches when I wake up & just SO uncomfortable!

Best Moment this week: December is FINALLY here!!! The month we get to meet our sweet baby boy & celebrate the birth of our Savior! Love this time of year!

36 Weeks

So this is really late & I am so sad that I don't even have a picture for week 36. I guess between all the Thanksgiving festivities I just completely forgot. And sadly I didn't even get 1 picture of me over the Thanksgiving holiday or over my birthday...

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: size of a honeydew melon, just over 5 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I don't know didn't weigh...but according to the Dr's office I lost a pound, which AB said was impossible with all the birthday eating I did.

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: dresses, tunics with leggings - my favorite - dress pants are uncomfortable when I sit

Movement: yes all the time

Sleep: is an ordeal...I get up several times a night, go from the bed to the recliner to the couch, back to the bed...etc...etc...etc...

What I miss: being able to sit, lay comfortable & just being able to move around easily

Cravings: ice water - ice chips

Symptoms: feet are starting to swell, headaches in the morning, difficult breathing when sitting down

Best Moment this week: my parents coming for our first Thanksgiving in our first home & helping getting everything ready for baby!

Take 1: Maternity Pics

I've been lucky enough to have not one, but two maternity photo sessions. All thanks to my wonderful husband & our new camera.

At first, I was thinking maybe we shouldn't have spent that much money on a camera but now I am so glad we did.

I also wasn't real keen on taking maternity pictures. Especially since I am getting to that uncomfortable, feeling not so cute/pretty stage, round-fat face stage. And to top it off, this week my feet & ankles started swelling. Let me tell you, Shrek feet are not at all attractive!

But AB insisted we do them & I thought I might regret it if I didn't. And who wants to live life in regret? Not this girl.

Here are a few from the ones we took last weekend.

35 Weeks

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of baby: size of a honeydew melon, just over 5 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +17.5

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris (pants are getting a little tight) & dresses, tunics with leggings - my favorite

Movement: yes! sometimes I wonder what he is doing in there

Sleep: is an ordeal...I get up several times a night

What I miss: being able to sit, lay comfortable & just being able to move around easily

Cravings: ice water - ice chips

Symptoms: feet are starting to swell, stopped up nose, difficult breathing at times, I cry easily, ha!

Best Moment this week: I had to go get blood-work done & while I was in the elevator a lady asked me when I was due, I told her Dec. 23rd. She replied "oh a Christmas baby, how fun!" She then asked if I knew what I was having & I said yes a boy! & then another guy with a dolly, says "Oh enjoy every minute, they grow up so fast! You'll look up and he will be 17."
By this time, the elevator doors were opening on the first floor & I had to hold back tears as they let me go first & said, "congrats & best of luck!" I was so overwhelmed with joy, realizing that people I didn't even know cared so much about my unborn child. Amazing how God shows me His love in the most unusual of places! I can't wait to meet our precious baby but on the other hand, I'm trying to savor every last few weeks of this pregnancy. It has truly been amazing!

34 Weeks

AB, my sweet husband took maternity pictures of me this weekend, I'll post more this week! This was his favorite.

How Far Along: 34 weeks & 2 days

Size of baby: size of a large cantaloupe - about 4.5 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +14

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris (pants are getting a little tight) & dresses, tunics with leggings

Movement: yes, but not as much as the week before

Sleep: not great...nose is always stopped up, makes it hard to breathe, wake up several times to go potty - time night is my least favorite.

What I miss: being able to sit, lay comfortable & being able to eat a full meal. I get full so fast b/c there isn't any room, ha!

Cravings: ice water & sweets

Symptoms: super tired in the afternoons, stopped up nose, difficult breathing at times

Best Moment this week: getting his room organized & somewhat in order...I'm ready to put the finishing touches on it! Artwork should be here this week :)

33 Weeks

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Size of baby: size of a large squash - about 3.5 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +14

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris (pants are getting a little tight) & dresses, tunics with leggings

Movement: yes, lots! afternoons, evenings especially

Sleep: sleep okay but wake up around 4am with stopped up nose & having a hard time breathing

What I miss: being able to sit/lay on my side comfortable & being able to do the things I used too easily (ie: moving the laundry to the washer & dryer, getting dressed, ha!)

Cravings: ice water, pickles

Symptoms: just so TIRED in the afternoon!! stopped up nose, difficult breathing at times

Best Moment this week: my baby shower today & my mom coming to visit, B is one lucky little boy!

32 Weeks

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: size of a large squash - about 3.5 lbs

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +10

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris (pants are getting a little tight) & dresses

Movement: yes, lots! Seems like he is moving non-stop

Sleep: back to not being able to sleep all that well...probably doesn't help that I take afternoon naps but I'm exhausted when I get home

What I miss: being able to sit/lay on my side comfortable & being able to do the things I used too easily (ie: moving the laundry to the washer & dryer, getting dressed, ha!)

Cravings: ice water & food in general...my appetite has definitely picked up

Symptoms: just so TIRED in the afternoon!! no more heartburn now that I got medication, thank you modern medicine!!

Best Moment this week: getting a new camera for when B. gets here!! Beware - my blog will be overtaken by him :)

Baby Shower Brunch

The weekend of October 15th, my family threw me a baby shower in Houston. It was wonderful & I felt so incredibly blessed by everything! The decor & food were amazing! My sister seriously should be a party-planner. She just has a knack for all the small details.

with the lovely hostess

us again

with my mom and sister

Now for the food...

the buffet with all the food, milk and OJ served in glass bottles

watergate salad in baby jars, quiche, & french toast

southern biscuits with jams, fruit kolaches, a sweet polka dotted cake

Lots of presents!!

A very special gift from my momma! This is the rocking chair she nursed me in and she had it recovered with Brady's bedding fabric for me to use with him. Something I will definitely cherish!!

my super adorable nephew, Ace!

Yay for Dr. Smith's diaper rash cream and let's not forget the boogie wipes! I can admit I was excited about those :)

all of Brady's sweet clothes that my mom bought...she knows I love smocking!

We used the clothes line to play a game where you had to talk on the phone, hold a baby, while hanging up the clothes, ha!

Mom was pretty good at it :) she did have 4 of us after all & lived during the days of hanging up clothes on a line.

I got lots of really great things & couldn't wait to get home to start filling up B's room/closet.

I also had some precious friends surprise me by coming. It was one of those "oh pinch me, I'm so blessed" moments. I've been having so many of those lately.

Me & my "Bump"


My love & I...Brady, we love you so much & we haven't even met you!

(hate that this photo is blurry but I love it regardless!)

Hey you, you're a child in my head
You haven't walked yet
Your first words have yet to be said
But I swear you'll be blessed

You'll have the best
I promise you that
I'll pick a star from the sky
Pull your name from a hat
I promise you that, promise you that, promise you that
You'll be blessed

Allen and I are so blessed & can't wait to meet our little man. Thanks to all of our family & friends in making this experience nothing short of wonderful! We love you!


The inspiration from the shower came from here.
Just wish my photos were as good as theirs...hence why I decided I wanted a new camera! :)

31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 weeks & 4 days

Size of baby: size of a large head of a large squash (I think he is bigger than that!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +9

Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen

Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris (pants are getting a little tight) & dresses

Movement: yes, lots! Lots of pushing & shoving going on, ha!

Sleep: sleeping pretty good except waking up to potty around 3-4am

What I miss: wearing cute clothes & heels, not being able to sit/lay on my side comfortable

Cravings: ice water & pickles - my appetite has definitely picked up

Symptoms: just TIRED in the afternoon!! no more heartburn now that I got medication, thank you modern medicine!!

Best Moment this week: Just being humbled by the blessing of a baby - realizing how truly blessed we are!

30 Weeks

How Far Along: 30 weeks
Size of baby: size of a large head of cabbage (I think he is bigger than that!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +8
Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen
Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris & dresses
Movement: yes, lots! He is like rolling around in there!
Sleep: sleeping pretty good now that I'm into the 3rd trimester
What I miss: wearing cute clothes & heels, not being able to sit/lay on my side comfortable
Cravings: ice water & pickles
Symptoms: cramps in my lower stomach, heartburn (ugh, which I hate!)
Best Moment this week: Being almost in the single digits with weeks remaining...

29 Weeks

How Far Along: 29 weeks
Size of baby: size of a butternut squash

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +9
Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen
Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris & dresses
Movement: yes, this past week he has been a mover & a shaker!
Sleep: wake up at least once because my hips hurt so bad & to potty
What I miss: wearing cute clothes & heels, not being able to sit/lay comfortable
Cravings: ice water & salty stuff - sweets give me heartburn
Symptoms: my hips hurting @ night, occasional heartburn (becoming more frequent in the evenings/night...not a fan!)
Best Moment this week: Getting a gift off our registry in the mail & putting it together :)

28 Weeks

How Far Along: 28 weeks & a few days

Size of baby: size of an Chinese cabbage
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7
Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen
Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris & dresses
Movement: yes, like he is rolling around in there
Sleep: good, I just sleep really light now & have to be in bed by 10
What I miss: wearing cute clothes & heels
Cravings: ice water & salty stuff - sweets give me heartburn, ugh!
Symptoms: leg cramps during sleep, occasional heartburn (becoming more frequent in the evenings/night...not a fan!)
Best Moment this week: We put the crib up!!!

27 Weeks

How Far Along: 27 weeks

Size of baby: size of an eggplant
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7
Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen
Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris & dresses
Movement: in the mornings & evenings...I am feeling him in my ribcage now, he's getting big!
Sleep: has been good, I just sleep really light now
What I miss: wearing cute clothes & heels Cravings: ice water & sour dill pickles!!!
Symptoms: leg cramps & hips hurting during my sleep, occasional heartburn
Best Moment this week: Fall officially started! Brady will be here before I know it

26 Weeks

**didn't take a picture Friday (since my photographer was out of town) but I did take a picture of my "bump" while at Kyle Field! Baby B's first trip to Aggieland!!

How Far Along: 26 weeks
Size of baby: size of an eggplant
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7...didn't weigh Friday
Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen
Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris & dresses, can't really fit into any of my regular clothes anymore
Movement: in the mornings & evenings...all out punches/kicks, ha!
Sleep: sleep well with lots of pillows
What I miss: wearing cute clothes...I just hate to spend lots of money on maternity clothes Cravings: ice water, popcorn & pickles!!!
Symptoms: leg cramps & hips hurting during my sleep, being tired!!
Best Moment this week: knowing I was going to spend the weekend in Aggieland!!! Buying Aggie gear for our baby boy!

25 Weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks
Size of baby: of an eggplant
Total Weight Gain/Loss: +7
Gender: It's a BOY!!! Brady Allen
Maternity Clothes: Dress pants/capris & dresses, can't really fit into any of my regular clothes anymore
Movement: in the mornings & evenings...all out punches/kicks, ha!
Sleep: sleep well with lots of pillows
What I miss: wearing cute clothes...I just hate to spend lots of money on maternity clothes
Cravings: ice water & pickles!!!
Symptoms: leg cramps & hips hurting during my sleep & occasional heartburn - being tired!!
Best Moment this week: seeing all the Christmas stuff out at Hobby Lobby & realizing it is my most FAVORITE time of year! & this year I'll have a very special reason to love it even more!