Birthday Wishes

My birthday planning this year has definitely taken a back seat this year! Ever since we found out back in February that my due date for Owen would fall on my 25th birthday this year, I honestly have barely thought about my birthday. That doesn't mean I haven't thought about what I want, we just haven't made any plans as to what we are going to do. We don't know if baby Owen will be here by then, so we are playing it by ear. But here are a few things I've had my eye on:

Black, leather, over-the-knee boots:

The little girl in me has been WAITING for this movie to come out of the vault:

Some scarlet ensembles to cheer on the Red Raiders from our living room this football season:

A new phone:

Some gift cards would also be nice. My name is Haley and I am addicted to online shopping.

Last, but certainly not least, my birthday would be unforgettable if I got to hold this little boy in my arms by then:

We have our appointment tomorrow, so we are hoping GREAT things come from it. Prayers are appreciated for some progression.

boots

movie

dress

sweater

phone

XOXO Haley

Thankful Thirty Eight

First, I want to thank everyone who commented or sent me a message on Facebook in response to my last post. I am very gracious for all of the sweet words and for making me feel NORMAL. I love blogging and I love how the people who blog can support one another when so desperately needed.

Of course Jer knows how I have been feeling, so we made a point to have a date night this past Saturday, just the two of us. We picked a quiet restaurant and I must say, it was exactly what we both needed. On the drive home, I felt peaceful and calm, which I haven't felt in a while. We both agreed that for our sake, we have to set time aside at least a few times a month to go on a real date, just us. We spend a lot of time together alone, but most of it is done with our attention on other things. I honestly didn't realize until this weekend how important uninterrupted one-on-one time with your spouse is.

After dinner, we took a 38 week picture. I haven't done one in a few weeks because I haven't felt 'cute' and have been wearing the same comfy clothes all the time. Here is my huge belly:

Our next appointment isn't until Friday, so hopefully we will see some progress made by then. I really don't want to induce, because my sister had an induction and had to have a c-section. I am all for getting the baby out safely and by whatever means necessary, but I want to make sure he (and my body) are 100% ready. I have been sleeping a little better these days, but one thing that hasn't gotten better is the itching. I am getting more and more stretch marks, so I know he is still gaining weight and growing.

I felt amazing yesterday, I think it was in part due to the weather we have been having! I LOVE this weather. I ran errands, picked up some fall decor and then Jer and I went over to my parent's for some yummy chili and pumpkin pie. Perfect way to spend a Fall(ish) day. Can you really call it Fall when the high is in the 80's? Who cares, I love Texas and it's whacked out seasons.

Should I feel guilty for 'making' Lola stay outside even when she is howling to get inside? It's so nice, I want her to enjoy it! All she wants to do is stay inside and nap. Lazy girl.

Well I hope everyone's enjoying nice weather somewhere and having a great Tuesday! Who is excited for 'Glee' tonight? It's Britney, bitch.

XOXO Haley

Honestly

I have been so emotional these past few days. I'm sure most would say it's pregnancy hormones (which I'm sure it is) but some of it is just the big change of the whole situation. It has been Jeremy and I together, alone (relatively speaking) for the past 7 years. Now we are adding a member to our family and it will never be JUST Jer and I. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond excited to have our little Owen, but I guess a part of me is a little scared of the unknown.

I know we are 'ready' for a baby and when we were trying, we never doubted we wanted a child. I'm not doubting it now, I guess I am a little scared because this is the biggest decision we have ever made and probably will ever make.

I know in about a month I will be gushing over our little boy and can't imagine life without him, but this is me being selfish.

I guess I'm writing this to see if anyone else had or is having these same thoughts when they were about to have their first child. Also, so I can look back at this in a year and laugh at myself for getting upset while watching the Journey episode of Glee on Youtube and bawling my eyes out when they sang 'Right down the line it's been you and me.' True story.

I hope no one takes this the wrong way and thinks I'm an ungrateful biatch because truly I'm not. I am having a lot of mixed emotions. I can't sleep at all at night anymore. The superficial me lays awake in bed just thinking about who he's going to look like and what color his hair will be. Other times, I lay awake thinking if the outfits we picked out for him for the hospital will be cute in pictures. Yeah, welcome to my head.

OK, I feel better now. You should know I don't handle change very well. But I'm sure this change will be the greatest I have ever experienced. Thanks for listening.

XOXO Haley

Batik, So Chic!

I am sitting here with my belly hanging out in all it's glory with a fresh coat of prescription hydrocortisone cream lathered on it. Hopefully it relieves some itching. While waiting for it to dry, I happened upon 'The Martha Stewart Show'. She just had a guest on from Hiho Batik... what is Batik you ask?? Why let me show you....

Hiho Batik sells shirts that are wax and garment dyed. These shirts are available for $38 on the Hiho web site, but you can buy a kit for $40 and make your own!! You trace whatever design you want on the t-shirt with the wax, fill in the design with regular garment dye, let it dry and voila! The wax is completely safe and washes out in the washing machine.

The kit will definitely be added to my Christmas list to start making Owen some shirts!

In other news, I had my 37 week doctor appointment yesterday and I have progressed!! I am 1 cm dilated, still 50% effaced and he has dropped to a -1. Here is the description I found online that talks about what the numbers mean in regards to his head. It's from Answers.com:

"Negative 1" refers to the position of the baby's head in relation to your cervix. Negative numbers imply that the baby's head is still floating above the cervix. Zero position means the baby's head is engaged. Positive numbers means the baby's head has begun its descent through the cervix and into the birth canal. The higher the negative numbers, the higher up in your uterus the baby is located (ex., - 3 is higher up than - 2). The higher the positive numbers, the lower into the birth canal the baby is located (ex., +3 is lower -- closer to birth -- than +1).

Happy Hump Day and first day of Fall lovers!!!

XOXO Haley

37 Weeks and Shopping!

I am 37 weeks and 1 day pregnant today.... and SO ready for this baby to be born. I have had such a great pregnancy (PTL) but these last few weeks are CRAWLING. I think part of it has to do with a rash I have developed on my belly. I am going to be really honest here: I have HORRIBLE stretch marks. The only people that have seen them are my doctor, her nurses, Jer, my mom and my sister. The stretch marks under my belly button have somehow gotten irritated and itch like crazy!! I have taken oatmeal baths, lathered on the Cortizone cream and have been popping the Zyrtec every night (all doctor approved). This seems to be keeping the itching to a minimum, but sometimes I have to give in a scratch the crap out of my stomach.

My doctor says the stretch marks are not from my weight gain, I am actually right on track with that. But it's because Owen is a big boy and my skin just isn't very elastic. He is also low in my belly, so when he grows, he is stretching one part of my belly, not the whole belly. My sister, Amber, delivered an 8 pound baby boy and had the same stretch marks. Now her stretch marks are so tiny you can barely tell she had any. We have had such similar pregnancies, so i'm hoping mine are tiny afterwards.

Honestly, I could care less about the stretch marks, I'm just glad my biggest problem right now is cosmetic.

In other news, I have been keeping myself busy by returning duplicate gifts from Owen's showers, getting 'last minute' things for baby and shopping for clothes for my post Owen body. Here are some of my recent purchases:

via

These are both from Tucker for Target which I am loving and want one of everything. These two were my faves.

This sweater dress/tunic is LC by Lauren Conrad at Kohls:

I was perusing Zulily the other day and came across the cutest artwork by Lex Modern! I would love one of these for Owen's playroom later on:

This weekend was definitely a lazy one. A new mexican restaurant opened recently, so Jer and my parents and I tried it out on Friday night. It's called Las Alamedas and it was scrumptious and so gorgeous! I slept most of the day Saturday while Jer watched football, then woke up for the Tech vs. Texas game. Boo. Sunday my parents and Jer's mom came over for dinner and it was delicious! Jer and I have stopped making plans for the weekend since I am officially 'full term' now and he could come at any time. I do hope to have a movie date this weekend though. Hope everyone is having a great beginning to your week!

Oh yeah, if you need a little snack during the day, my friend Morgan always makes this to welcome Fall:

It is simply peanuts mixed with Candy Corn and is delectable! Enjoy!

XOXO Haley

Brock's First Birthday Party and 36 Weeks

This past weekend, my mom, Jer and I drove to Dallas to celebrate Brock's first Birthday! My Dad has been out on a rig (he's not a roughneck, he works in the oil field and was sent out on a special project) We got good news on the way to Dallas that my Dad was done with his work on the rig and was able to fly in and celebrate not only HIS birthday, but Brock's as well! My Dad's is the 10th and Brock's party was the 11th. Brock's actual birthday isn't until October 1st, but we celebrated early this year because my due date is so close.

We went out to eat Friday evening with the whole family and Brad's family to celebrate my Dad's birthday.

Saturday was the birthday party, so everyone woke up bright and early for the preparations!

Brock's party was definitely a success and so much fun! Amber and Brad did a great job.

I am now 36 weeks (and 2 days technically) so we are now going to the doctor every week. At my last appointment on Thursday, she said Owen was approaching 7 pounds and would probably be more than 8 pounds by the time he's born. Good lord, he is a big boy. She also said I am 50% effaced.

Yikes, I actually have to push this thing out?? JK, I am actually totally ready and anxious to meet the little guy that has been taking up space in my belly for the past 9 months. Jer and I went to Babies R Us last night and got everything left that we needed right now on our registry. We also picked up a few things we didn't 'need' but were too cute to pass up.

There's a new line at Babies R Us that Taylor told me about called 'Little Miss Matched' that is ADORABLE. She called me right after she found it a few weeks ago and knew I would love it, and I totally did!! And it happened to be 40% off... here's what we got Owen.

Jer picked out the blue and white one and I picked out the red and white. The blue one has pants that go with it, but they didn't have them on their web site.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

XOXO Haley

Baby Shower #2

My second baby shower was Sunday and was thrown by a family friend of Jer's. This one was just for the ladies... but my hubby showed up at the end because he's a good Daddy-to-be like that! Here are some pictures....

I'm getting packed and ready to drive to Dallas bright and early tomorrow morning! We are celebrating Brock's birthday a little early this year because his real birthday is October 1, which is a little close to my due date!! Tomorrow is also my dad's birthday, so this weekend will be one big celebration.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

XOXO Haley

Baby Shower Numero Uno

Saturday was Owen's first Baby Shower and boy oh boy was it cute! Amber, Christy, Morgan, Ivy and Taylor did such an amazing job with everything. You all know the ins and outs of baby showers, so I will leave you with pictures! I think most readers of my blog read my BFF Ivy's, so we all know how crafty she is. Well, she did NOT disappoint when it came to spoiling Owen this weekend. The banner and chocolate mustaches were all made by Auntie Ivy.

The koozie and make up bag were my gifts to the hostess'.

This shower game was MADE by Taylor... too cute!!

Thank you ALL again for such an amazing shower.. I really do have the best friends (and big sister) a girl could ask for! Love you guys.

XOXO Haley

Sweet September

I cannot believe how fast time is flying. Owen will be HERE next month. Amazing. I have been non-stop this week getting everything (house, gifts, groceries, ensembles) ready for our baby showers this weekend! I am SOOOOO excited, all off my BFFs will be in the same place at the same time. I don't think this has happened since our wedding last year. (May 23 to be exact ;)) The shower on Saturday is thrown by my sister and my friends and is a couples shower! The shower on Sunday is thrown by a friend of the family and is a 'girly' shower.

Jer and I have also been getting some last minute things done. We found a cute little stool at Ikea a few weeks ago for us to sit on while we bathe Owen in the tub. It was originally plain wood, but we wanted to make it a little more 'us'. I couldn't find an exact picture on the web site of what it looked like before, but the stool looks identical to the top part of this stool.

We couldn't take a 'before' picture because almost everything at Ikea has to be put together. So we painted the stool and then put it together. By 'we' I mean Jer.

You likes? We used the blue left over from his letters and the green is from a frame I painted that's in his bathroom.

I was at Wal-Mart today and found Mary Janes!! No, not the shoe, and no, not the kind you smoke. The CANDY. They're Halloween candies and they are delightful. I couldn't find them last year, so this year I stocked up!

If you've never had them... it's an individually wrapped piece of peanut butter toffee *correction* TAFFY with real peanut butter in the middle.

When I got home, I found this in my mail box...

It's Owen's baby book! It's from Etsy and we couldn't be happier with it! I started crying when I was flipping through the pages... I know this sounds so lame, but it FINALLY hit me that I'm going to be a Mom. Hmm that didn't take long?!

Jer and I went to our 'Prepared Childbirth' class on Saturday and I must say, we both left feeling very prepared (for lack of a better word). I am now so anxious, it's not even funny.

I subbed for the first time since June on Tuesday! I thought it was going to be a lot harder since I am 8 1/2 months pregnant now, but it was great. The staff and students were very accommodating and polite. I love my (part time) job.

Nothing else really new, I just finished putting the final touches on the shower hostess gifts. They are so cute, I can't wait to give them to the girls and the Grandmas!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week... I have a check-up tomorrow to make sure everything is moving along with the little guy.

Hopefully Jer finishes up his fantasy football draft soon so we can watch our Netflixed 'Happiest Baby on the Block'....

XOXO Haley