Happy Mother's Day

When I think of Mother's Day, I of course think of my mom. Thinking of her today was bittersweet. Every day without her is difficult, but days dedicated to her, bring the sting of her absence right back. However, I try to remain hopeful and positive that she is looking down from heaven, happy to know that her family is healthy and happy...and more importantly, growing.

I also think of Angie and Julie on Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to Julie - the mother of my two nephews, Matthew & Jake. Since the day Matthew was born he has changed all of our lives and brought so much love and laughter to this family. And Jake has been a constant reminder that boys will be boys and we love him for it. I love my nephews so much and am so grateful that Julie brought them into our lives. Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to Angie - the mother of my niece, Sofia. Sofia was a gift to this family when we needed it the most and has been blessing us ever since her surprise arrival two in a half years ago. Her sweet nature and silly personality will always warm my heart and make me laugh. Thank you Angie - Happy Mother's Day

And to my soon to be family...

Jeff - thank you for making me feel so special today and for giving me the confidence I need to take on this endeavour. You made my first Mother's Day very special - I love my new chairs and the card was very precious!

To Baby K - I didn't know I could love someone I have never met. We are so excited to meet you and no matter how much time I think I need, I so excited to be your Mom!

To all of my aunts, cousins, friends...Happy Mother's Day!!!

Easter 2010

Happy Belated Easter! We had a nice holiday this year. Low-key, but very fun and filled with family and friends.

Louis came in town Saturday afternoon from Austin and spent the evening with us. We went to the local Mexican meat market (there are a lot of them in Oak Cliff) and bought some fajita meat. The boys prepared a mini-Mexican feast, which turned out to be delicious! It was fun to relax for the evening and catch up with Louis. He comes in to town occasionally, but this was the first time we had been able to settle down and just hang. It was fun! Louis - come back more often!

The next day was Easter and I had decided earlier in the week to cook myself instead of going out for brunch. Growing up we always ate ham after church so I figured I'd start the tradition back up again. Louis and Emi pitched in and we had quite the spread. I made scalloped potatoes, ham, and deviled eggs. Emi made her famous salad and Louis brought the peace de la resistance: homemade key lime pie.





I failed to photograph the key lime pie since I was too busy eating it, but I did manage to snap a shot of my FAVORITE Easter treat...



Growing up, my mom would give each one of us a Cadbury egg. I loved them then and I love them now.

It was a nice, relaxing day which is exactly what I wanted. Later on in the afternoon, the neighborhood kids had a Easter Egg Hunt. I love our block. All the neighbors came out to watch, drink wine, and spent the afternoon catching up.

Here is a great action shot our neighbor Jeff took on Sunday.



This weekend was a perfect reminder of how blessed I am and gave me an opportunity to be grateful. And it got us ready and excited for this...



Go Rangers!

We are off to Kansas City tomorrow to visit the inlaws one last time before Baby K gets here! It will be a great weekend filled with family and our first baby shower. Dan, Angie, and Sofia are even coming. Stay tuned for lots of pictures!

Miss Me?

Where have I been? Sorry for the delay in postings, but I haven't had much to say. I suppose it is time for a pregnancy update. To give a quick review, I'll let you in on a few things that have happened since I posted last:

1. I turned 28 on March 19th
2. Enjoyed wearing flip-flops and the snow all in one weekend.
3. Spent an amazing Birthday weekend with my family and friends.
4. Had a friend's car stolen from our front yard. Seriously.
5. Finished registering for all things bebe.
6. My very best friend Tracey visited us from CA.

26 Weeks.

This week I went to see Dr. Blewitt and was given a glucose test. All my mommy friends warned me about the nasty tasting juice they force you to gulp down. Maybe I have a undistinguished palette, because my orange (extra-syrupy) juice wasn't so bad. I gulped, swallowed, and would have happily had more. Maybe it was because it tasted like extra sweet Orange Sunkist, not the diet kind. Mmm...

Dr. B says everything is good with Baby K. I am measuring normal (whatever that means, right?) and baby and I look great. I'll take it. I go back at the end of the month for a sonogram, which I'm very excited about. I haven't seen our girl since early February, but I have felt her!!!

I started feeling pulses in my lower abdomen early last week. It.was.weird. I had heard that in the beginning feeling the baby was similar to gas, but this was defintely something different. Since then, I have felt rolls and pulses every single day, some more powerful than others. I feel her the most when I'm lying on my back. It is pretty phenomenal. Jeff's eyes when he felt her for the first time were priceless. He always figured feeling her move would freak him out, but I think he is adjusting to our little ones movements and secretly enjoying them. Feeling our girl together has to be one of my favorite parts of this pregnancy together.

So, I'm feeling good. Nothing out of the ordinary. I get up to use the bathroom 483 times a night, am starting to each chicken again (woo!), and am extra tired, but can never get comfy...awww, pregnancy joys!! Although, the ice cream cravings have reared its ugly head. Mint chocolate chip is so, so good. Luckily, my sweet Jeff has taken me to Baskin Robbins two days in a row. He said that was enough, though. I hate when he is right.

I think I may need one of these soon, though.

Baby Bump

Twenty-Two Weeks

Jeff and I started dating during the Fall of 2006 and have made traveling a priority ever since. This will be the first year that that we won't be able to take a vacation, so I have been going down memory lane this morning of our travels.

Join me...

Our first trip together...

San Diego, April 2007



Kansas City, June 2007 (Also my first trip to visit his family)



New York City, August 2007



Note: We have one picture from our NYC trip which I don't have on my computer. However, we did go to Yankee Stadium to watch the Royals lose to the Yankees.

Miami, October 2007



Greenville, SC & Atlanta, GA, May 2008



San Francisco, June 2008



Playa del Carmen, January 2009



Chicago, May 2009



Thanks for taking me on so many adventures, Jeff.

Even though we aren't going on a vacation this year, we are looking forward to the best adventure yet: parenthood.

Pregnancy Cravings

Lucky Charms. They're my breakfast of champions!



Lemon Flavored ANYTHING.



Bomb Pops. I remember eating these as a kid with my brother David.



Cupcakes. I'm not picky from where, but they have the prettiest ones.



Sunkist Orange Drink (I even buy the diet kind)



Notice I'm not craving any vegetables...

Happy Anniversary to Angie & Dan!

Today celebrates 8 years of marriage for them. Wow!

8 Years Ago Today:

1. A major ice storm hit DFW
2. En route to the church, Angie & I slid into a guard rail on the highway.
3. After the guardrail incident, Angie cursed...a lot.
4. After a beautiful ceremony, we danced the day away.
5. My mom and dad celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary while watching their first daughter dance with her new husband.

Happy Anniversary to Dan & Angie - Love you both!

(insert cute picture of Angie & Dan here) Oops, don't have one!

Today also marks what would have been my parents 42nd wedding anniversary.

Today is bittersweet, but with my mother's untimeley death almost three years ago, I can only be grateful to what she instilled in all of us. And as a newly married woman, what my parents gave me; which is an example of a long, loving marriage.

Jeff & I are very lucky and have always been grateful that both of our parents marriages have been long and filled with love, honor, and respect. We could not have better role models.

Thanks to Moms & Dads.



Photo taken at a family reunion in Miami Beach in June 2006.