Look Who's 30!

So excited to announce that JD is 30 today!! Ha (I'm just glad it's not me) We had an exciting day! Mason was super smiley today and I was able to capture a couple on camera!



JD got his birthday gift a little early so I am posting this picture to remind him that I did get him an awesome gift!



While JD was home for lunch he was holding Mason and I think that he would agree he got the best gift of all....Mason's Smile! He just kept smiling at his daddy! Very sweet!



Last weekend we had a birthday get together at Harry's Stone Grille. JD had a lot of fun celebrating with his friends. He is blessed with a great group of friends and family!









Well, this is going to be a short and sweet post because we are going out for supper to celebrate JD getting old!

Enjoying my Moment,
Crystal

Sweet October

Oh, October.......how I have been waiting for you to come around! Even though I have been longing for October to come around...time seems to be flying by! Just realized my last post was in July! I have been busy with baby showers(so grateful and blessed for my family and friends) getting plans and my classroom ready for when I leave and getting the nursery and house ready for the baby! I like to make a checklist because it makes me feel really productive!!

1) Lesson plans ready for maternity leave teacher! (Check)
2) Baby Prep Classes! (Check)
3) Nursery! (Check)
4) Hospital bag packed! (Check)
5) Baby's bag packed! (Check)
6) JD's bag packed.........(Working on it)
7) Snack bag packed........(Working on it)
8) Getting huge, anxious, and so excited (CHECK)

I am now going to weekly appointments. At my last appointment blood pressure was good, baby was good and head down (please stay that way) 75% effaced and I haven't started dilating! I know these last weeks are important for the baby....so I'm telling myself the baby isn't ready....but I think in a couple weeks we will all be fine if this baby would like to enter the world at that time!

I can't stop thinking about a Halloween a couple of years ago...we were at my Grandma's party and she said, "Crystal, next Halloween you could have a baby here and we will just take care of it together." Of course that next year there was no baby but there could be this year! I know my Grandma is taking care of both of us now and that gives me reassurance that everything is going to be okay! Now praying this baby is here by Halloween...I have too many cute Halloween outfits for this baby to wear!!

Enjoying Each Moment and Continuing to Pray,
Crystal

Baby Surprises!

Yes, I am really up this early on my summer vacation! I actually can't believe it myself but I have a little motivation....that gets me up and going! To get me to walk each day, JD has agreed to do a chore of my choice for every day I walk. So yesterday was the first day and it worked....I got up early and walked BUT I did let JD off on his chore......he has to double up tonight. So, sounds a little silly but at this point it is working and if I get some things done around the house just by walking I say, "Deal!" Do you think that remodeling a bathroom is a chore.......wondering if I will be able to throw that out there?! See what he has to work with....

Surprise!! We have started decorating the nursery! While JD was on his trip to New York my family worked so hard putting together the baby furniture and working on the closet! Thanks Dad, Cuyler and Wesley! JD was very surpirsed!!







We got the wall art up and it looks great! It is starting to look like a little nursery! Still no theme yet....I just can't decide on the baby bedding!! Here are some pictures of JD putting up the wall art.....he will not be happy....but he was getting a little frustrated! Maybe beacuse instead of taking pictures I should have been helping.......maybe that was it!




I am now 23 Weeks and feeling great! Surprise! The last couple of days I have felt the baby kicking me! (Or at least that is what I think it is) Even though it happens
at the worst times (middle of the night or early in the morning) for me to have to get up and go to the bathroom. Yes, this kicking sends me directly to the bathroom..........oh well, I love it! It does make me a little nervous because when these kicks get stronger.....who knows what will happen!! This week JD and I started our Childbirth Classes. It went really well! We learned all about warning signs, pre-labor, early and true labor. We talked about when to go to the hosipital and when to hold off....you all know me.......the first sign I get....I am out of here!



Enjoying my Moment and Continuing to Pray,
Crystal

Happy Father's Day!

Had a great day celebrating with my Dad and the Soon-To-Be Daddy! I am very blessed to have two great men in my life! I'm sure the baby will feel the same! I got JD the baby's first books! They are all about Daddy! I'm so excited to stand outside the baby's room one day and listen to JD reading to our child! So excited for those memories to begin!! I had to also throw in a book for Grandpa. It is all about the farm and tractors....that will be my Dad's job....teaching my child all about the farm! (I saw him practicing reading it to himself...he is excited)









Today was an experience of what is to come: JD kept throwing out that today was his day! I had asked him early this morning to iron a shirt while I fixed my hair. He replied in a not so happy tone, "It's Father's Day!" I was mad for about two minutes....but when he came back with the ironed shirt...I got over it! He did tell me next year that he wants to enjoy his Father's Day on a golf outing with his friends. I said that is fine...he just has to take the baby, I mean that is the reason he gets to celebrate Father's Day...right?!

Enjoying my Moment and Continuing to Pray,
Crystal

Happy Anniversary

JD planned a great anniversary outing. The outing was supposed to be a surprise but JD must have thought that I wouldn't be doing any cleaning and he left the tickets out on the dresser. I will admit that I usually do try to ruin surprises but I promise this time was a total accident!

So the first stop was a Reds game! I haven't been in such a long time and I really do enjoy Reds games, especially Skyline Chili Dogs! We also enjoyed the fireworks show after the game.







The best part of the evening though was my true surprise gift! I had no clue that JD had went to Fine Threads. Now here is a moment for me to be honest....I knew the gift was from Fine Threads because they always wrap the gifts for JD! So i'm thinking oh, no I hadn't told Mrs. Brawner anything that I had wanted (which is usually what I do...she is the best at pointing JD in the right direction). But JD really did awesome....he got me a Vera Bradly diaper bag!! Which is in my favorite pattern!! It could go for either a boy or a girl!! I am so excited and love it!! Thanks JD!







What a great 6 years and I am sure the best are yet to come! I am truly blessed!

Enjoying my Moment,
Crystal

Brack

I had my first lunch date with Brack (he was in my class this past year) and his mom. It was so fun. I cannot believe how much older Brack looks just in the short time we have been apart…..gosh, they do grow up fast! (It could be his new really cool haircut too)


I have to share this quick story that I will always remember about Brack: My class was all sitting on the carpet area and I was talking to them about leaving after lunch and that they would have a substitute coming for the afternoon.(I was probably doing a lot of bribing and begging for them all to be nice and to please be good) The whole class was quiet and one student asks, "Where are you going?" Before I could come up with a response Brack shouts out, "I know where she is going! She is having a BABY!" It was great....if only I could describe what the other kids faces looked like!! He was right, I did have a doctor's appointment!!

The last day of school Brack had told me that we needed to have a meeting with his mom. He said that maybe we could all meet at El Nopal in Carrollton. He then went on to tell me that he had a surprise for me! I kept trying to get it out of him the rest of the day but he kept it a secret!


Today when we met he gave me a blanket that he had helped his mom and grandma make for the baby! So sweet!!

On the way home I pictured my child and meeting up with his/her teacher. I know I am rushing things but I am just so excited for those moments to happen! I plan to spoil my child's teacher just as Brack and his mom have spoiled me!







P.S. Brack put in his guess….he thinks it is a BOY!


Thanks Brack!

Baby Field

At our last appointment we got to see Baby Field! The little stinker kept its arms in front of its face the whole time! So no good ultrasound pics of the face. (This baby better not be trying to tell me that it is like its daddy and not photogenic....I will not be happy) JD announced to the nurse that it was already acting stubborn like me....I don't mind that! I guess the baby thinks that since we are keeping the gender a surprise, everything should be a surprise! I can't wait to see its sweet face in October!

The baby is doing great and the heartbeat sounds wonderful! I have gained 13 pounds, so I need to do a little better in that area. I am going to try to start walking each morning, yes hold me accountable and ask me how that is going when you see me!

Well, I had to take the video off because Auntie Hoops and the rest of the family couldn't focus on the mouth and they were trying to figure out the gender....wait until October people!


Enjoying my Moment and Continuing to Pray,
Crystal

Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me

Can't get this song out of my head tonight but it is okay because I like anything that reminds me of my grandma! Over the last week I have learned that my grandma taught my sister and cousins this song. You may have the same question that I did, "Why didn't she teach this song to me?!" Well, I have decided that she was my grandma, she knew me well, so therefore she probably didn't want to have to tell me that my voice just ruined the song!! Well, now I am singing it loud and proud and I am sure it is making her smile! Can't wait to teach my little one this song someday!

Enjoy!

I Said A Prayer For You Today

As I was cleaning (yes, I was actually cleaning) I came across this cross and prayer that my Grandma Dalphene had sent me....

I Said A Prayer For You Today
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart although he spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame (I knew you wouldn't mind).
I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind!
I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day; to grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way!
I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small.
But it was for His loving care I prayed for most of all!

Love you Grandma Dalphene!!



Continuing to Pray....

Thump...Thump....Thump...

Thump...Thump...Thump...

Okay...maybe you need to say it a little faster to get the real effect...but yes, that beautiful sound is what we heard at our last appointment.....the sound of our baby's heartbeat!! No better sound in the world! :-)

All the way home JD and I argued what it really sounded like....but you get the picture. I would have a recording of the heartbeat to post for all to hear but Daddy had the phone in his hand....but was in so much shock.....totally forgot to push the record button! He was so upset...but I am sure this will be the only first that we forget to record along the way..:-)

After our appointment we went to Pottery Barn Kids and Babies R Us to get some ideas for the nursery! Our goal is to paint the nursery and have our floors redone over my spring break...that is our goal! Anyway, we can say that I am out of control!! I want to buy everything, I think I need everything! I basically need to calm down and stay away from any kind of store.....believe me, I can walk in a gas station and find something that I think this baby needs!!

Our next appointment is April 4th! Guess what we get to see?! Some baby arms!!!

Enjoying my Moment and Continuing to Pray,
Crystal

First Appointment

While we were anxiously awaiting our Thursday appointment to come around, I continued to pray that God would just give me the reassurance that I needed to let me know that everything was going well and that the baby would be fine! Well, God is Great and answered another prayer...........we got to see the flickering of our baby's heart! Yes, that flickering of the heart has settled my anxiety and I know that God is protecting this baby. What a blessing!!

Dr. Jarrett thinks that due to my ovulation that I may be around 6 weeks and due Oct. 30th! Waiting patiently for October to come around! :-)


Enjoying my Moment and Continuing to Pray,
Crystal

Enjoying My Moment and Continuing To Pray

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Thank you God! Oh my gosh!" While I was pacing the floor and crying after looking at a home pregnancy test, that after years of negative results, it finally said positive, these were the only words that I could get out of my mouth! Let me just say that even though that was a week ago (yes, very early pregnancy announcement) I am still in shock and find myself saying those exact words over and over again!
Let me begin with our baby story! :-) So I would love to leave out the beginning of our story....where JD purchased two pregnancy tests that would give you the positive sign + or the negative -. Well, I took the first test and I swore that I could see the + sign. I asked JD and he gave me a pat on the back and told me that I was really looking for it way too hard...that he didn't see it. (Well this was just JD trying to protect me because he himself admits that he did see it a little bit) So, I went to bed thinking "Nuts!" I prayed that night to just start my period or to let the + sign be really distinctive! So the next morning I woke up and took the same test and it came up with the same response, a slight + sign that JD had said probably had been sitting there too long and that is why we slightly saw the + sign. We then left it at that and left for Hannah's regional games, but how could I leave that out...I mean doesn't that just sound like us?!
So now for the fun stuff: On Sunday afternoon JD came home with what I call a test for dummies -- it would show the result as a Yes or a No! So JD dropped off the test and left! Yes, he left! I think he was nervous. So as I sat waiting on the response I pictured myself having to tell him that I wasn't pregnant..(previously in our journey of having a child, JD would always receive the blood test results from our doctor and then tell me the news...which was always very hard for him). So I was very nervous!! But of course.....I got to announce the good news!! So after 4 home pregnancy test (yes, I took another one the next morning just to make sure I got another YES!) and 3 blood tests.........this girl is pregnant!
So, I have my ultrasound on Thursday and if my due date is correct it is October 22nd, Hannah's Birthday!! (I know.....it couldn't be more perfect!)
Enjoying My Moment and Continuing To Pray,
Crystal

Little Hoops

I need to start by explaining where the nickname "Hoops" came from....I am thinking that Hannah was in the 3rd grade when she met JD's dad. He was talking to her about basketball and just started calling her Hoops. When JD's sister Gara came into town, she said "You must be Hannah!" Hannah looked at her and said, "Just call me Hoops" What a great memory and the nickname fits perfect!

Hannah won her first sectional! It was a great experience that I am sure Hannah will never forget. I will never forget the expression of excitement and joy on her face....it was a priceless moment. In what was a very exciting day for Hannah and her team it was a little hard for my mom and the rest of the family, with the #1 Fan not there! Mom had shared earlier that day that Grandpa would have been so excited for the game and of course ready to leave for it at least 2 hours before! But we all know that he had the best seat in town and of course was cheering on his All Star Hannah the whole time!

Here are some pictures to share the excitement of Hannah and the Lady Cubs!

Thoughts for the Day

I have started this new book called "Hannah's Hope" by Jennifer Saake (I highly recommend the book to anyone who is facing the challenges of infertility, the loss of a child, or anyone going through the adoption process) Anyway...I have just started the book and love it! My notes from today basically remind me that God has a plan. Sometimes I question why or when things happen but the way Jennifer puts it...totally makes sense. She states that it is like looking at a small piece of a complex puzzle and trying to make sense out of it. Even though we can get frustrated and not understand, we need to remember that God sees the big picture from beginning to end and that we can only see the little piece right now. This gets me very excited for the plans that God has for me...now just praying for patience! :-)

Stand Still

Came across this song this morning and it was really comforting. I hope you enjoy it!
Also on YouTube there is another video of the same song by Julia....I love it!

Puerto Rico 2011

We just got back from an amazing trip to Puerto Rico. It is so nice, even if it is only for a few days, to get away and relax! I love these trips with JD and am very blessed that we are able to go! Here are some pictures from the trip!

Here I Am!

Well, I guess the boredom of another snow day has lead me to blogging! Or was it an excuse to not do the cleaning and laundry…..hmm, let’s go with the first! I am kind of nervous about this blogging experience....I am not going to promise to be an interesting blogger or even to keep up with it…but I will do my best!