Christmas Festivities and Santa

We have had a pretty busy weekend!! Saturday morning we headed to Huntsville for Christmas with my family. Abby had lots of fun playing with her cousins, climbing trees, and even got to ride a four wheeler. 

Abby with my Mamaw.

Abby and Mary Bradford.

Later that afternoon we headed over to Gerald's Grandparents house for Christmas dinner, and opened more presents. Abby got lots of pretty and fun things! Like these Helly Kitty house shoes:

Gerald's grandfather dressed up as Santa to hand everyone out their presents, and Abby fell for it. Haha, it was cute!  

The cousins with "Santa".

Christmas Eve Abby set out cookies and milk, I read her one of her Christmas books, and then she fell fast asleep. Then we set out her Santa!! Extremely sad that I don't have single picture of her opening them up though, or her expression when she came down the stairs. It was priceless though, and definitely her best Christmas so far. She is just at a good age where she understands everything now. Really wish we could of recorded it and taken pictures. Oh well! I will say though, she is a very clean present opener.. haha she puts all of her paper in the trash after each one.

Santa brought her pink Toms, a barbie bike, Leapster Explorer with tons of games and a camera/video connect, a TV coloring game, books, clothes, toys, Candy-Land, a doll house, and barbies. She was a good girl this year ;)

We spent the morning lounging around and putting together her presents from Santa. Then around twelve we ate and opened presents from Gerald's parents and sisters families.

Cute new boots and pink vest from Gerald's parents.

Baby boy got a lot of cute outfits from Christmas, from both of our families, and these are two of them. The top picture says "My Daddy and Me" and the bottom says "little brother". It was fun to open things for him! He's going to be soooo precious in these, and I can't wait to see him =)

One of my presents I thought was really pretty from Gerald's sister. 

I got the pair of Toms I've been wanting. Can't wait to wear the heck out of them ;)

My new boots, love them. I also got a pretty black pea coat, a sweater, jewelry, curlers/hair dryer, makeup bag, and lotsss of scarfs. Haha.. but I am so happy because I love wearing scarfs, and they are all soooo cute! Gerald got a much needed new wallet, really nice coat, clothes, and pj's. Overall we were veryvery blessed to have a great Christmas this year. We're also blessed to be meeting our little boy in two short months. Family is all I can ask for and I love them to death :)

29 Weeks

29 weeks! Still the same weight and feeling the same. Just lots bigger!! He has also moved up really high. You can probably even tell the difference from my seven month picture, and this one. It's pretty uncomfortable, and I thought having him lower was, but I'm ready for him to scootch back on down there. My ribs are cramped!!! It's so weird feeling him move now. Because he REALLY pushes his bones far out there. I mean I can clearly feel a foot/elbow/whatever bone run across my belly (or hand if I'm trying to feel). It is crazy, and makes me pull my hand away if I'm touching because I feel like it's hurting him haha! When he rubs them across my ribs it is kinda painful too. Sometimes my stomach goes lopsided now too because he's laying on one side!

 These are our first purchases for Baby Boy. I love the monkey hat and can't wait to see him in it. He's definitely going to be a striped baby, because I am in love with everything striped I see for little boys!

This is his little tiny room. It is actually part of our room (ours is where I'm standing), and works out perfect for an infant. We're moving that white dresser out to put his bassinet there. I'll have to post a picture when it's all finished.

And, this is going to be his changing table/dresser. Way to save money right? lol. Gerald is putting a rod under that opening at the bottom to hang his clothes on, and I'm going to make a cute little curtain to hide whatever we put in there. I think it will work out perfect.. just need a changing pad to lay on top =) Pretty cheap nursery huh? haha! 

I'll post after pictures whenever that might be =)

This past Monday Abby got to ride in the Christmas parade downtown with Gerald's sisters family. They said she was telling people Merry Christmas and had a lot of fun. When they passed by us, Abby just laughed and laughed when she saw who it was! It was cute =)

Here are some pictures we took while wrapping a few presents yesterday...

 That is "Candy" the Elf, having a tea party with Barbie and Ken ;)

Last one. Abby showing off her baby brother's stuff!

Christmas is right around the corner, ahhh! I'm dying for it to be here, because I have NOTHING to wear, and my mom ordered me the maternity clothes I asked for from Old Navy's online maternity shop. I chose there because the stuff was so cheap, wearable after pregnancy, and comfy. So I'm ready to get out of these sweats, leggings, and t-shirts. I'm crossing my fingers for a pair of Tom's too, they would be perfect for pregnancy, and being a busy mom of a newborn. Just one more week!! I can't wait to see Abby (and everyone else too) open her presents.. this will be our fourth Christmas with that sweet girl =)

Seven months...I've hit the third trimester!!

These first two are from last week, twenty-seven weeks, and the last two are my seven months.

He sure is a growing boy!! My pregnancy ticker said he should be 2lbs and 14.5 inches. Only 12 more weeks to go!

So, at seven months I have gained up to 140, from 125. Ahhh!!! (No clue how I will have time to work the weight off this time with two children and classes.) I am still having the round ligaments pains, but they are less often now. And, I am starting to really notice myself walking weird. Which is very uncomfortable to do like when walking into stores, in front of people, etc. It makes me sort of nervous ha ha! 

So glad I'm now in my third trimester, woo hoo! Scary at the same time though, because labor terrifies me. And, I am feeling extremely unprepared. Probably just my urge to nest, but not having a nursery to decorate and stuff reminding me he's on his way is kind of sad. 

Anyways, better stop thinking negative before I have a pregnant girl hormonal break down haha! So, we still have not committed to a name =( Although, I love Laten (or Layton??) Thomas, and hoping that we go with that one. We shall see =)

I have also enrolled in two online classes (there simple so no worries on being overwhelmed). The reason I did this is because I totally forgot about my financial aid grant that was awarded to me back in the fall. Why would I let all the money go to waste, and risk them not awarding me any again in the future? Also, after talking with an adviser, and friends, I think the smartest decision right now... with having a four year old and newborn. Would be for me to switch my major to Dental Assistant. Only because it is so much easier, and I don't need a lot of classes to be eligible to apply to the program next spring. They only accept applications in the spring, so I can spread those classes out really far during this next year. Which is makes me feel better, knowing I won't be rushed, but will still be finished with them in time to apply for Fall 2013. I will finish much faster than sticking to Nursing! It's kind of a bittersweet decision. I really want to be a nurse, and still telling myself that I'll probably go back a few years from now when we're all settled down in the military/etc.. But, I need a good good career job, so our kids can have everything they need, and go to daycare/school/dance class/all that fun stuff. So looks like Dental Assisting is the smart choice. Plus, it was my back up plan anyways so it's not like I'm doing something I don't want to be. 

Can't wait for classes to start. Hopefully it will make these last few months of pregnancy pass by much faster  ;) My friend has set a date for our baby shower, January 29th. So exciting! =)

Dora The Explorer

This past Saturday we took Abby to see Dora at our mall! However, I do not have a camera so this is off of Google, haha!! We waited in the longest line EVER, for TWO hours. Abby had so much fun waiting though. She played with a few kids and had a blast. I love when she gets to be around kids her age because I feel like she isn't getting the social skills she needs right now with us staying at home ALL the time. Pre-K starts this fall though thank God!

Anyways, when it was Abby's turn she walked up to Dora a little frightened because some other kids were seriously screaming there heart out right in front of us. Haha that sure didn't help! And, there was also a big kid right behind us in line, telling his little sister "That isn't the real Dora, it's someone in a costume. No it's not Dora." I wanted to seriously turn around and tell him to hush it! Thankfully Abby didn't hear him. So like I said, Abby was a little scared, and wouldn't hug her, but she did tell her hey. Oh, and while waiting in line when we got close enough to finally see Dora; Abby waved like crazy, jumped up and down like seriously losing her mind, and giggled, and giggled to death. It was precious!!

Overall I think she had a really fun time seeing Dora. Wish I could of captured her excitement. =)

Thanksgiving

 I am so thankful for these two...

They are everything to me, and I love them SO much :) 

And, of course I'm also very thankful for our sweet little boy growing in there. We really need to figure out a name and commit, because I'm ready to be able to actually call him by something ;) 

I was 26 weeks on Thanksgiving Day, and he sure is growing fast!!! We had lots of good food at Gerald's Grandparent's house, and I ate wayyyy too much. Couldn't help myself. Why am I always pregnant during the holidays? This time I'm one month behind from last time. It sure does pack on those extra extra pregnancy pounds lol!!

The Iron Bowl was yesterday, and Auburn sadly lost. Wasn't really expecting any different.... Maybe if our quarter back wasn't so bad it would of been a better score? ;) War Eagle! 

Pictures at 24 and 25 weeks!

The first two are at 24 weeks..I've hit my SIX month mark.. totally snuck up on me!

 And, here I am at 25 weeks, taken yesterday...

I think I'm getting too big for the bare belly shots, haha I don't even want Gerald to see it! No, I am not going to complain.. it's just a part of pregnancy and comes along with it. However, I do feel completely awful: squished, very heavy and off balance when I walk lol.. I hit things when going through places that normally wouldn't affect my pre-pregnancy belly.

So my baby boy is very squished at the moment. He is kicking and moving around like crazy, and I can feel it like I never did with Abby. It's crazy to see/feel!! I've also ran into a slight problem, for me, not the baby. When going to bed last night, it was extremely hard to get comfortable, and there were tiny pains shooting in my back. I'm pretty use to not being comfortable, but this was different. However, I just ignored it. Then early this morning I woke up with horrible horrible cramps down my side. It would sometimes take my breath away and cause me to have to lean over to (stretch it out kind of). It continued through the morning, and even sometimes got really low in my stomach. When telling my mom about it, she insisted I call and run it by the doctor. I knew it wasn't contractions having had them before, but it wasn't normal either. So I felt kind of silly calling to whine, like a whimp haha. The doctor on call was super nice, she wasn't my normal doctor, but she knew exactly what was going on when I told her my symptoms. Round ligament pains. Common in second pregnancies, and on small framed pregnant people. She said they are very painful, but do not hurt the baby at all! That was a huge relief! Just some pregnancy pains for the Mama;) There is nothing to help but rest and tylenol... GREAT! Haha no, I know it will get better soon so I'm just trying take my mind off of it. Probably because I just started my growth.. really in like the last 2 & 1/2 weeks, and it's all growing so quickly!

Anyways, besides the round ligament pains, everything is going smoothly. After my next appointment on the 8th, I go every two weeks. Scary... 2012 is right around the corner! =)

Finally back to work..

After months of searching, applying, and looking for a job... I finally landed one! I start work at Old Navy tomorrow, and I'm really excited about it! Love the clothes, the people seem really nice, and I'm just happy to have a purpose again. Although, I am starting to feel REALLY pregnant and growing like crazy!! Maybe  being more active while working will help though. Also, my iron was really low at my appointment today, and I had really painful cramps last night (almost like braxton hicks). It HURT, and also scared me to death of going through labor.

Sooo I'll stop complaining now. Please pray that my body cooperates with me, and I have a great first day at Old Navy tomorrow!!! :)

Halloween 2011

Hallowen 2011

Abby was the cutest witch ever ;)

These pictures are so blurry, I used a camera phone. Wish I could've gotten better ones.

Anyways, Abby was pretty scared of all the masks and kids running around scaring kids Abby's age. After a while, and me explaining to her that it was pretend, she did pretty good. We had a lottttt of fun, and a lottttt of candy :)

We're having a BOY!!!!

Me and Gerald are so excited to have a little boy!!!!! Scared? Yes....but still excited. I really hope he can be with me during labor, but unfortunately it looks like he'll be gone to boot camp :( ...I'll be sure to overnight him lots of picutes, along with the big news! We have two favorite names picked out so far: Layton Thomas Newsom (my favorrrrrite), and Kasen Thomas. (Thomas is after Gerald) Any opinions???

 Yep those are his feet touching his head, kicking my belly. HAHA! He is always SO active.

xoxo,
Tiffany

My pregnancy pictures up to 21 weeks

Couldn't believe there was actually a baby in there!

When I first found out, July 25! About 6 weeks I think?

I love them =)

19 weeks

21 weeks

Another picture at 21 weeks

23 weeks!!! Only seventeen more weeks to go!

                                         Below are some notes for me to look back on one day.

• No morning sickness
• Up until about 21 weeks I was actually losing weight (got down to 120 to be exact, and I was 125, but now I'm finally getting to healthy weight for the pregnancy). I've gained back up to 135...so about 10 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight.

     This time has been so much different than being pregnant with Abby. I gained weight like CRAZY with her! At nine months I was 150, or more. Ha! Although, I am REALLY starting to grow this month, and I need to start watching my appetite that is growing along with my belly, because I don't want to get that big again... if I can help it! When I was pregnant last time, I was only 16. So I didn't know what I was doing to my body by eating unhealthy/fattening foods. I absolutely dread having to get rid of all the weight I gain this time. Working out is not my favorite thing to do! =(

Abby is so excited, and she is getting SO big. Sassssssy too! Ha! I wish I could just stop time and keep her this little forever.

xoxo,

Tiffany