Ramblings of a pregnant lady...

Ok...so this blog will not have any pictures. It's just a bunch of words. I have been thinking about so many things lately, and I just wanted to pass on some of these thoughts while I still have some computer time left...

 1. Why is it so much easier to take things back at Wal-Mart than anywhere else? I recently took some duplicate onesies and a play gym we received (without a receipt for anything), and they took them back no problem. All she needed was my name and number and to know if anything was wrong with the items. SUPER EASY, and I was so appreciative. Just thought Wally World deserved some props for that. I usually don't shop there anymore, but I just may start up again. :)


2. Number one brings me to number two...why don't people include gift receipts with their gifts for you? Especially for a baby? I don't mean to sound rude, but it makes returns or exchanges SO difficult. Places are getting so picky on their return policies, and it's dumb to get stuck with duplicates or things you won't use. Just saying...


3. My last gift-related complaint...for a baby and/or wedding...buy people the things they register for. They obviously want it and will like it if they registered for it. We took the time to do registeries for both, and the baby ones weren't used very much. It's frustrating and a little disappointing that we took so much time to make the registeries and hardly anything was bought off of them. Just saying again...


4. Why does it seem we always want what we can't have? I am in L-O-V-E with carbs, even though I hate to admit it, but damn...they are so good. This gestational diabetes diet has definitely been an eye-opener for me (especially looking at how many carbs everyday things I ate have), but it doesn't make me want carbs any less. I am lucky that I am allowed some I guess, but it's just not the same. I can't wait to have some spaghetti AND garlic bread, chinese food, Bill Miller's (HINT HINT out-of-towners), and BBQ sauce. It's RIDICULOUS how many carbs are in that stuff. Really...look at BBQ sauce labels.


5. Just when you think you have it SO bad...in life...God sends someone else with a problem or issue...much bigger than your own...right towards you to remind you how lucky you really are. This has happened to me a bunch of times recently. When I got diagnosed as GDM I was devastated. It was very upsetting for me. I soon found out that one of my friends here was diagnosed with breast cancer and will require multiple surgeries and some radiation. Just goes to show you (and me) how truly blessed we really are.


6. I have recently become an official organ donor. :) Before I was a nurse, it really creeped me out to think that my organs could be "harvested" after I died to help someone else live. I don't know why it bothered me so much, but I have definitely changed my mind. I have always told Nick I want to be a donor...if God forbid something happens to me...but I had never done anything to let anyone else know like the DMV, the rest of my family, etc. I completed the paperwork a couple weeks ago, and I now have an official donor card in my wallet. Yay me! I hope and pray that I will be TOO old to be a donor when I die, but you never know. Passing on my organs to someone who is slowly dying has got to be one of the most bitter-sweet moments in this world for both families involved. Either way, I won't be needing them so have at 'em.

7. Why, all of a sudden, are our dogs needing to go outside like 4-5 times a night? It's crazy. I know they know something is up...with the baby coming and all...but they are like completely annoying right now. SERIOUSLY. Nick is gonna have a heart attack if they keep this up. I keep reminding him that maybe this is God's way of preparing us for the many sleepless nights ahead of us, but it's not really comforting to Nick. He's usually grouchy and mad most mornings...like today. Dory peed in our room twice during the night last night even though we let her out like 3 times. Any suggestions anyone?


Anywho. That's it for now. I will be hopefully posting some of my maternity pics and Ryker's nursery blogs soon. Until then...

Mother's Day Weekend 2011

Friday was a very productive first day off. I was able to run some much needed errands, and I took back a few things that we needed to return or exchange for Ryker and/or his nursery. Nick and I also got a few things we needed at Babies 'R' Us...including the carseat and stroller...much to my delight. :) We then had a nice dinner out...just us two. That's going to be a rarity pretty soon so we took advantage of it.

Saturday morning we were up bright and early for our maternity picture shoot. We met the photographer in old town Katy at Katy Heritage Park at 9. We got there at a perfect time...2 other photo shoots were finishing up. Apparently it's a great place for pics to be taken. After a few minutes of talking with Chelsea and beginning the shoot, I starting loosing up. It's always a little awkward at first, I think, but I was able to relax quickly. After about an hour spent at the park, we came back to Firethorne for the rest of the shoot. She shot over 2 hours and filled 3 memory cards. Crazy huh? We are expecting to see the pics in 2-3 weeks, and I can't wait to see them all. The two pictures I viewed on her camera were AWESOME so I am really stoked to see the rest. We could have found our official family photog...thanks Ashley!

Saturday afternoon my mom and dad arrived, and we decided to split up. Nick and my dad went to see "Thor," and my mom and I opted for pedicures and a trip to Houston Garden Center. Dinner that night was pizza here at the house while we waited for Derek and Amy to get here. It was great to see them both...especially Amy...and we hung out until it was time for bed.

Mom's foot and my foot. We decided to try some bold new colors. Mom fell in L-O-V-E with my nail place like Val did a few weeks ago as well. They are awesome!

Sunday morning Nick made breakfast for the six of us while my mom and I relaxed and had coffee. Nick and I decided to host Mother's Day at our house this year. It was mostly my idea since I knew I wouldn't be traveling, but he agreed and so it was. After breakfast, Nick, Derek, and my dad went over to the lake at the front of Firethorne to test out Derek's b-day present from us. Go ZigZag Racer!

Diesel was giving Nick the eye while he was making bacon...

Derek taking control of the boat...

Nick's turn...

The ZigZag



My dad's turn...he's always been a big kid. :)

Amy blowing out my hair for Mother's Day.

Val fixing mom's hair. If you don't know us...we have a thing with doing hair.

The guys fired up the BBQ pit once they got back, and the girls started getting things together for hamburgers and hot dogs and all the fixings. The guys even made bacon-wrapped shrimp. Of course the guys had to have something to do while they were waiting for the pit to heat up so they decided to set up and play ladder ball. They got in much more practice than the girls did, and I think it showed later in the day once we all started playing.

The beginning of ladder ball...

Val making the guacamole. :)

Nick showing off his pit...

Derek chillin' with a Shiner. Parker loves him!

Dad on the prowl already...

Derek and Amy...Amy was on camera duty...thanks girly!

Me and Val with our hamburger assembly line.

All our delicious meat...

Amy trying the Doritos and HEB's French Onion dip combo for the first time...

She loved it. A BIG thumbs up!

Our lunch spread...

The moms were both on their phones while we slaved away. :) It's funny how times have changed...

We had the moms open their gifts after lunch, and I think they loved everything they got. <3

Beth with Derek and her gifts from Amy and him...

The soon-to-be grandmas with their new charm bracelets and their "Very Special Grandmother" charms...

Val's gifts for mom included this awesome frame, candles and a votive holder, and a paperweight for her desk at work.

We had dessert afterwards, and then spent the rest of the afternoon chilling outside and playing ladder ball in teams. It was a great day overall, and I think that we all had a really fun time. It was a real eye-opener that pretty soon...probably the next time Nick and I see any of the family...we are going to be having our baby boy. It was SO surreal, and it was very exciting for us both! RYKER will be here SO soon!

Nick's ghetto fix for our misting fan. We still loved using it though!

Nick's artwork with the power washer.

Our dessert for the day...it was SO good and such a treat for me!

Nick and I...I love him so very much!

Val, Mom, and I...I love these gals!

Nick, Beth, and Derek...

Monday morning everyone slept in a bit, and then us girls decided to head out for a little shopping before our visitors had to leave. Amy, Val, and I were gone for a few hours, and once we got back, it was time for a lesson in diapering and swaddling for anyone who wanted to participate...mainly Nick. :)

Nick starting the changing process...

Oh no...Ryker's peeing on him! Nice touch Derek. :)

Finished...and then...

swaddling done.

And then Val took a turn at it...she thought she needed practice too.

Val and a happy, clean and swaddled baby. Thanks to Terri for lending me Bubba.

Amy and Derek left soon after our practice session, and Val headed back to San Marcos later that night. It was wonderful to see everyone, and I look forward to hosting more family weekends here at our house very soon.