Coppell Oak Fest

We went to Coppell's Oak Fest today. It was our first time there, so we weren't sure what to expect. We found corn dogs, funnel cakes and sarsaparilla. We brought a blanket to lay out on, but it was definitely not a "sit and take it in" event. We'll know for next time!

Matt and Nathaniel met us out there. Before they got there, Grant got to run off some energy. Also, since it was about 90 degrees (in the middle of OCTOBER!), I tried to keep him safe from the sun.

The wagon was a good idea because our mischievous boy wanted to run around and play with generators or some other equipment he shouldn't get into. Have I mentioned this boy (like Lola) loves to eat ice? Dada shared from his sarsaparilla.


I think Grant and Nathaniel enjoyed the playground more than anything.
Going down the slide (nice hair Grant):


Grant's favorite was the wheel - he loves to drive!

And just as we were leaving, Matthew and Uncle Steve came and found us!

After Oak Fest, we headed over to Matt and Julie's for some poker, pizza and Rangers. Grant managed to lock their bedroom door with no one inside. We wrapped up poker early because we were all so tired. And the Rangers won the ALCS!

New Camera!!!

We got a new camera, and when Grant came home with a new hairdo today, I couldn't resist breaking it in!

This is how he was sent home from daycare. After dinner, the hair and the shirt were a total loss. This kids just LOVES PW's chicken spaghetti!!!

Hello Ed Grimley?!

Confessions

My cousin Jenna posts her confessions, and I find myself saying sometimes (to myself) "Jenna would totally post that as a confession." So, here goes!

1. I just found 3 new episodes of "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" on demand and I had to watch them all! Most of the time, I completely understand how the moms never knew. I love that show!!

2. When Al Davis died, in my head I was picturing Al Michaels. I confuse celebrities a lot. And I was pretty shocked about the news until I figured out who Al Davis really was.

3. I hang little girl clothes in my own closet. There is plenty of space in other closets, but I love seeing them every day, so they'll stay in my closet for a while, thankyouverymuch!

Check out the Christmas pj's I got yesterday for Abigail "Rose":

4. I now judge babies' cuteness WAY more than I did before children. And there are LOTS more ugly babies with these new mom goggles.

32 weeks

I'm 32 weeks today, which means 56 days until my due date!! Today is also the first day of the season with a high LESS than 80, which means skirt and boot season is upon us!! Oh how I love skirt & boot season!

The house is moving in the right direction, but we are by no means ready for another baby. In 2 weeks, we will have Grant's room put together and he'll be in a toddler bed! I'm hoping 17 months isn't too early for that. The following week, the guestroom/office ("goffice") will be put together.

I find that I want to paint several rooms. I'm constantly thinking "tic toc, tic toc", so I think we'll be hiring that out. We (Abby and I) want at least 2 rooms and a hallway painted. Maybe 3 rooms. Abby hasn't decided yet. Also, the rooms are almost empty right now since we are being gifted so much furniture so it's a great time to paint.

I go to the doctor on Thursday and at that time, I will probably schedule my C-section. If she will let me, I'll wait as long as possible. The earliest I would want to schedule delivery is December 2. I'll update once I know, but I am a believer in letting baby decide when to arrive (if possible). So I would prefer to go into labor, but I know some docs don't like that.

We shall see! In the meantime, tic, toc.

Sick weekend

Pregnant women have got to be the best patients. Shoulder hurt? Just tell her that the cure is delivery. Sure, it COULD be a broken arm, but you don't want to be liable for doing an X-ray! Sick? Tell her to take Tylenol and rest. All the good stuff is off the table. Sure, it COULD be pneumonia or West Nile or sudden onset of blindness, but you can't treat her for any of those anyway!

I'm not sure if the bitterness is coming through. Let me be more clear:

Friday, I planned to come to work while my mom stayed home with Grant (who was sick). He'd been on an antibiotic for 5 days and still not better, so I was also trying to contact the doctor. 1 Doctor's visit = $78. 1 Nurse call = $10. Since nothing had changed, I figured a call to the nurse line was fine.

But when I woke up on Friday, it was clear that I had been run over by a freight train. I managed to get ready and out the door though. I worked until just after lunch. In my office without the light on. Light is bad. It makes the splinters in my eyes worse.

I drove home (I probably should not have even been driving), and discovered that my doc called in a new prescription for Grant!! And for the low, low price of $268, he could get a different antibiotic. WTF?!

My mom stayed until Derek got home, which was great because I was in no condition to take care of a child. I laid in bed with a washcloth over my eyes - not really asleep and not really awake. In the meantime, Derek and I worked with the pharmacist to get a new prescription, which cost us $250 LESS than the original.

I also found my doctor's guidelines for what medicine is ok to take during pregnancy. I went a little overboard and took twice the dosage I should have. And I could actually tolerate light - and feeding Grant - and feeding myself!!

But Saturday, I was back to laying in bed. On the regular dosage, I still felt like CRAP. I laid in bed all day until about 3 when we went to the Dacuses. Even then, I had to lay down on the way there, on the way back, and most of the time there. Thankfully, these friends are fake uncles and fake aunts to Grant, so he was thoroughly entertained. Grant got to play with a cricket and help throw a frisbee thanks to Clint!


He also played football with the boys and ran around the house with Shauna.

While I was on the couch, everyone else was carving pumpkins.

Except this guy - he was asleep.

Sunday I was feeling a little better. We sold a bookcase and desk on Craigslist, so I tried to clear those out while Grant "helped". Derek's dad had come to help around the house for the day, so the men were busy, busy. After lunch, Grant and I went to play with his cousins, Jacob and Andrew!

When we got home, Grant needed another nap. The boys assembled the new, much smaller desk and I assembled dinner.

So today I'm back in the office - again with my light off because light still hurts. But thankful for a great husband and family who took care of me and Abby this weekend.

Sunday snore day

Sunday was back to normal. We met up with Sunny and Cat for brunch at Hacienda on Henderson. It was great - can't wait to return for mimosas on the patio!! It was also Sunny's first time to meet Grant!

Sunny said "I want my picture with ya'll so that I look really skinny!"
After brunch, we ran errands and it became clear that Grant was actually sick. Poor guy! I feel like he's had more sick days than well days lately. Another sign that it's time to move on to Aunt Julie's.

We were all drained when we got home (but thankfully the Cowboy game was over - they had a huge meltdown - AGAIN). A Sunday nap did just the trick though!!

SURPRISE!!

Yesterday our families gathered at Babe's Chicken for a suprise birthday lunch for Derek. He was completely surprised!! And he was so happy that it went off without a hitch that he cried. Ok. No - that was me. So I cried at Derek's surprise 30th birthday party - how backwards (and totally cliche for a pregnant lady) is that?!


Grant on the other hand was determined to throw a wrench in the day. His afternoon nap (usually 11-1) was only 20 minutes long. Katie was AWESOME and took care of him so that we were able to eat, visit and enjoy dessert without a full blown tantrum that would have no doubt come without Katie's help!!



Derek got some great gifts. A bed bug stuffed animal that my mom and Roberta won at the State Fair the day before (free - from the Mattress Firm or something. Because they had to save their tickets for beer of course). A 30 pack from his parents (which I told Derek should be his "30 before 30"). And a personalized license plate from me!

As an extra present, I had these photos blown up to 8x10 and used them as table decorations.

After lunch and presents, it was time for a little chicken dance and tres leches cake!!



Not a bad way to end your 20's! Thanks so much to everyone for making his day so special!!

Changes coming soon

A few weeks ago, we reunited with our poker buddies (and cousin), Matt and Julie. The next weeek, we played poker again and stayed up chatting far past our bedtimes. I can't say for sure if it was the wine, the late hour, or a well thought out design, but we ended up with a plan by the end of the night.

Julie would keep Grant for a "trial week". If all went well, Grant could start staying with her instead of going to day care. If not, no big deal - he's at a great day care.

Last week was the trial week. Grant had a BLAST!! On Monday, he cried a little when I left. Julie sent me this photo, though saying he calmed down and they bonded over waffles.

Julie has great toys too.

Julie's oldest has preschool on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so on day 2, Julie got adventurous and went to the park.

The kids had a blast and I think Julie got a little exercise herself on the way home. She pushed the double stroller a few extra laps while the kiddos napped. Double strollers are not the easiest thing in the world to push around.

But Grant's favorite toy by far was the child-safe stool. I don't know what to call it. Here's a sample:

With this nifty gadget, he can stand on his tip-toes, and if he holds his tongue JUST RIGHT, he can turn light switches on and off or play with door locks and knobs. In other words - a little piece of heaven on earth. Matt made the stool when their little one became fascinated with light switches. Matt's handy like that.

Julie's oldest showed Grant how to climb in and out of it, and he mastered that in just one day. I think that may have accelerated Grant's desire to climb. He's tried to climb onto his activity table (but failed) and the ottoman (and succeeded) since last week - both new adventures for him. We also got a step stool for the bathroom so he can wash his hands and brush his teeth - further encouraging the new desire to climb.

So I put notice in to daycare that Grant is leaving. Breaking up is hard to do, but I know it's for the best. He's been far more reserved at drop off the past 2 days also and the only time he wanted his mama at Julie's was the first day. Grant will learn a lot from his older cousin (Derek would correct me and say THIRD cousin).

He starts full time with Aunt Julie on October 17th! We want him settled into that routine before Abby comes and rocks his world. I can't wait for his new adventures, and to see if Julie (k/n/a Super Hot Nanny) pulls all of her hair out before Christmas!

Grant's first night away

This weekend, two friends of ours got married in Austin. We went down to Grandma Rose and Papa's on Friday night.

They watched Grant and Lola on Saturday and we went to Austin. I'm sure I told my mom that Lola was staying there too - they are a package deal... but I think she was focused on my boy because she seemed surprised by Lola!

This was Grant's first night away from both of us. There have been trips by one of us out of town, and there have been date nights - but they always ended with us picking up Grant (and waking up with him in the morning). Almost 16 months old. It was long overdue!

On the way down we stopped by Round Rock Donuts. I got a regular chocolate glazed donut. It was AMAZING. It's the perfect blend of Krispy Kreme and a regular donut. Derek got the Texas-sized glazed donut (which he saved for Sunday morning and ate the entire donut in about 15 minutes) and a cinnamon roll that he rated in the top 3 cinnamon rolls ever (would have been higher if it was warm).

We stayed at my friend Cat's mom's house. She had homemade chicken salad, beer and cheese and crackers for us, plus a full breakfast menu for in the morning! The ladies hung out by the pool and the guys watched football. I was on a raft, relaxing by the pool - without entertaining a 1 year old. It was great!

Meanwhile, back at the farm - Grant was barefoot and BUSY!!

Back in Austin, some streets were closed in downtown, so we walked into the church JUST after the bride went down the aisle. oops. I think that may be the only wedding we've ever been late to! To be fair - we weren't driving and were with 4 other people.

The church was beautiful - the ceremony was great. Because it included mass, I figure it counts as going to church! The reception was awesome too! Derek may have had the most fun! He was accused of double-fisting all night.

Part of our table:

Soon-to-be mamas and 2 of the hottest ladies at the wedding:

My hot date:

BELLIES!!! We are (approx.) 15 weeks, 22 weeks and 30 weeks:

The dance floor was full ALL NIGHT! Any time I was out there, I was dancing on the carpet because the actual floor was FULL of people! It was great!! And if the dance floor is too full for you to be full out, the only solution is to dance at your table! Proof of the fun and goofiness of the evening:

Clearly a good time was had by all.

I managed to not get a single photo of the bride and groom, but they had the pros on hand to do that. Erin did send a sneak peak of her bridals a few weeks ago. She was a strikingly gorgeous bride.

We partied hard, then crashed hard back at the house. Derek and I both slept until 8:30 a.m.!!! It was great - we didn't have to worry about our boy and that was the icing on the cake for such a fun weekend. I knew he was in good hands at Grandma Rose and Papa's house. Both he and Lola played so hard that they slept the entire way home. And once we were back, Grant was so sweet with Lo - giving her hugs and petting her (ACTUALLY petting - not grabbing and giggling). It was precious.

But the extra nap wasn't enough for Grant - he was POOPED from playing with Grandma Rose and Papa! He was so tired that he was falling over while walking at 7 p.m. He managed to get several new bumps and bruises before we called it an early night at 7:30.

First Nose Bleed

This week Grant had his first nose bleed. When I walked in in the morning, it was dark and all I could see was dark stuff on his sheet. I was almost relieved that it was blood and not poop! He didn't startle in the night, so it must not have bothered him.

What did bother him was me wiping his nose in the morning. He HATES wiping his nose. So I waited until he was strapped in the car seat. There are days when having him strapped in the car seat is the only way to accomplish something.