Saturday, December 31, 2011

2011 (Part III) This Week, Pregnancy & Ashley's Wedding

Is it possible that I might finish up blogging 2011 by the end of 2011??? For the past week, Tim has been off work, and I have been home sick, so we have been catching up a ton around the house. (This blog included) 

Who knew you could spend two solid days 'Organizing' our house?  We took two full truck loads to Goodwill and threw out a ton too.  Although everything was in drawers, and hidden from the 'public' it is definately possible that we were on our way to becoming hoarders.  I guess when you no longer move yearly, you don't get that yearly Goodwill purge.  Thank goodness we had the time to make it through the whole house!  I am happy to say we are no longer occupying all three bathrooms and bedroom closets and there is actually space to welcome a Baby Boy into this house!

Now that everything is cleaned out, we have agreed on room purposes, ordered my office furniture to go with Grandpa Bill's old Judge Desk, ordered a new dish washer and kitchen sink, and picked paint colors.  Let the 2012 projects begin!  I am definately lucky that I have a husband who gets into all of these things and is willing to help organize and re-do several rooms.  I couldn't imagine trying to do this without him. 

*Notice there will be no pictures from this week, as I have been in sweats and no makeup all week (minus the 2 hours I went to the office and movie we saw last night)

About a week and a half before Ashley's big day, Tim and I found out I am officially Pregnant!  Here is the TMI Pregnancy Story, so if you don't want to hear it skip down to 9. 

Tim and I had been 'not playing defense' since January, so I was starting to get a little worried we were going to have problems.  It seems like every story I had ever heard was 1. we got Pregnant the first month I was off the pill, or 2. we did fertility drugs  forever.  Looking back, its funny, because as we all know God's timing is always better than our own... And this situation is further proof.

If you know Tim, you know he began publicly begging for children about 6 months after we were married.  I wasn't quite ready.  Then we came up with the deal, a boat for a baby.  The real story is I wanted to have a boat for our kids, because it was one of my favorite parts of growing up.  I knew once a baby got here there would be other expenses and Tim would never agree to it, so I told Tim, I am not having a baby until you buy me a boat :)  This plan worked perfectly, if I do say so myself. The boat came at the end of last year, and the 'defense' went away at New Years.  As summer quickly approached, I started thinking it would be really nice to be able to have a drink and enjoy the boat for a summer before I had to throw pregnancy fatness and hormones into the mix.  I threw that idea at Tim to which he responded, you got your boat, now give me a baby lady!

We continued through the summer with no luck in the Baby Department.  In the mean time, we did learn a lot about being boat owners.  We learned about 3 flat tires (always on long road trips), some motor issue, new speakers, hitting the wakeboard rack on a tree, and most importantly how not to kill each other while managing a boat for the weekend.  I think we both agree that it was a lesson best learned without pregnancy hormones and defiantly without children!  We owe a special thanks to my parents for helping us through all of these learning experiences and being with us every step of the way this summer.  A boat is a TON of work, but one of the things that makes me the most happy.  Looking back, there is nothing that can replace the 1000's of hours my parents spent with us on the water as kids, I hope my children have the same wonderful memories and love for the water and that special family time that I do.  Here are some pics of the fun we had this summer:




With all of the fun we were having this summer I was somewhat distracted, but by the beginning of August it hit me.  It had been 7+ months, and I still wasn't pregnant.  Scary.  That is when the OCDness set it.  Calendaring (all awesomely color coded), temperature, and ovulation predictors.  Operation pregnancy was in full effect.  If anyone else is walking through this, feel free to ask questions.  I was definitely freaking out at this point, and grilling everyone I knew with children!  Luckily, a little attention to detail was all it took.  By the end of September Baby Davis was on his way, and we couldn't be more excited!

Hiding Baby Davis until the first sonogram was definitely a challenge.  Luckily we were out of town most weekends, so our Dallas friends were easy to deter.  Others not so much.  The weekend after we found out we headed to Nac.  Campbell was officially the first person to know.  Tim told her, and she announced to Jeff and Jenny that she was getting a cousin.  It was really nice that they knew so early.  Jenny is also pregnant, so she got 1000 questions that weekend.  Jenny is an awesome sister in law, and walking through pregnancy with/behind her is a very special experience.

9. Now on to Ashely and Steve's Wedding Weekend where we decided to keep Baby D a secret.  The weekend consisted of several fun events.  The wedding was beautiful and the location was super cool and unique.   

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Rokks!  Thanks for letting us be a part of your big day. 
 




On the way to the wedding, Sharon did ask Tim if I was pregnant, which he was able to deny. (I would have fessed up) Tim ordering me Club Soda with Lime all night kept her suspicions under control.  Ash was super busy, as expected, so she had no idea.  There was one bridesmaid who figured it out.  I spent almost all weekend with Haley.  I drank Dr. Pepper during the UT/OU game, Club Soda at the rehearsal dinner (where they were not serving vodka) and suspicious looking drinks the rest of the weekend.  As Steve and Ashely were running off, she asked when I was due... So she was officially the first to figure it out on her own.  We made it through the weekend without anyone else finding out.

Luckily we had a trip to Houston for Maite's Baby Shower planned for the next weekend.  We went to my Parents to tell them Thursday, and told Tim's Parents Friday night.  Needless to say both are super excited and can't wait to meet their first Grandson. 

Maite was one of the most fun people to tell.  We decided to wait until after her shower to give her one last present.  It was a stuffed baby Longhorn, with a card to EJ from Baby D.  She was clearly just as excited as I was and there were tears all around.  Amanda (who was an awesome encouragement during the whole getting pregnant phase) was also hanging around after the shower and found out with Maite.  It was super fun to share Baby D with Maite, Amanda, Maria, Abi and Judy after the shower.  I'm sure we will have many more things to celebrate together this next year, but this first was super fun!  

 Blogging takes way longer than expected.  I am pausing here for now.  Possibly more later today.

<3
Christina





Thursday, December 29, 2011

Rounding Out 2011 (Part II)

Moving down the list...

5-8
5. Walker Wedding
6. Ashley's Bachelorette Weekend
7. Tim's 30th
(thinking I may be preg-o)
8. Iron Chef

Comming Soon:
(finding out I am definitely preg-o)
9. Ashley's wedding
10. Sara's Bachelorette
No update on Barry's Vegas Bachelor Party b/c Boys don't take pictures...
11. Thanksgiving
12. Gender Reveal Party
13. Bara Wedding
14. Christmas
5.Walker Wedding. Haley and Kody got Married!  It was super exciting to be a part of their big day!  She was beautiful & he had the perfect look on his face when she walked down the isle. 
(my favorite part) 

Last Night as a Family of 4! 
My Family at the Rehearsal Dinner
 
Tim and his Besties (as I was leaving Wedding Morning)

Beautiful! 

 Getting the Party Started.



 The Night was Perfect.

6. Ashley's Bachelorette Weekend.  It started out with a bang. I happily volunteered to drive all the girls to New Braunsfuls in my Mommy Mobile... that would not start.  It didn't start that morning, which Tim attributed to a phone charger being plugged in over night.  I was jumped and made it to work fine.  When the girls all met up, we packed up & I went to start it, same problem.  Apparently you have to replace the battery every 4 years or so.  My car is an 07, so it was my time.... on the way out of town, with 2 passengers and 2 more to pick up on the way.  Wonderful. We got lucky, got it fixed pretty quick and were on our way.  I calculated room for 5 girls in my car, what I did not account for was 5 girls luggage.  Luckily Sharon is Tiny!

 Ash arriving at the super cute house.
Girls ready for a night out in Greune. 


 Saturday was wonderful, but I don't have many pics.  We slept in, went for a little run, read on the porch swing, and headed down to the river for some tubing.  Sharon, Ash & I floated twice.  So Fun.

That night we stayed in, cooked Fajitas and had a little lingerie shower.  There are pics of the presents opened and the fashion show that followed, but those will be kept for Steve :)


I had a wonderful weekend Celebrating Ashley with of of you girls! 
I would love another weekend just like that one soon!

7. Tim's 30th!  Maybe he is not mature enough to handle this gift yet...


Tim's Party was quite possibly the most fun party I have ever thrown.  I actually sent out invitations.  I tried to upload it here, but I'm not a skilled blogger yet.  We started the night at Joe T's and ended up at 8.0 listening to Live 80.  I think the pictures speak for themselves!  Thanks to everyone who came out and made his 30th so special!

Getting ready to head out...
Tim in all his glory:
From Left to Right:
Kassidy, Tim, Me, Kelly, Uncle Clint, and Dad


Typical Matt...
80's party, came dressed as if he was 80 :)  Pretty great costume!


8. Iron Chef (we do classy things sometimes too)

Tim and I were lucky enough to win this dinner at the TAG Derby Party.  Our hosts were amazing and provided all of the food, wine, recipes and expertise.  We would love to re-create this party at our house, but the dishes will probably have to be a little less advanced.  I was quite impressed with the Chapman's cooking skills and awesomely eclectic home!

Here is how it went down...

We started by each choosing our favorite (one of a kind) wine glass... and not so one of a kind apron.


The 'secret' ingredient was Eggplant.  6 couples were invited, then split up and randomly assigned boy/girl teams of 2.  2 Teams cooked at a time.  All of the dishes were way better than I think any of us thought we were capable of! 

Team 1: Kate/Ryan- Campanelle with Eggplant Sauce & Shrimp
 Team 2: Lindsey/Tim- Ratatouille & Sopressata Pizza
(Only dish that has been re-created, way to go Cody & Lindsey!)
 Team 3: Jill/Cody- Stuffed & Fried Chinese Eggplant
(The hardest dish by far... they have skill, Tim and Jonny- back off!)
-
 Team 4: Me/Jonny- Eggplant Risotto with Duck Confit
 Team 5: Emily/Jamie- Eggplant Caponata with Ahi Tuna
 Team 6: Cassey/Jared- Hunkar Begendi with Lamb Loin
(Amazing!  We will re-create this)
 When everyone finished cooking... and eating,  there was a secret vote for best dish. 
The Grand Prize went to Jarred & Cassey. 
There was no dispute, their dish was the best!
 There was also a prize for the dish with the least amount of points. 
Shout out to Jonny and I... at least we got prizes :)
  I can't wrap up this post without mentioning our Butler for the night.  He was Awesomely creepy, and he actually moved! I wish I could remember his name.
Just before we left, Tim and Jonny decided to class things up a little bit :) I can always count on my husband for that.

The Iron Chef Party was a super fun and unique night out.  I can't wait to do something like it again!  It was also an exciting night, because it was the first night Tim & I thought I might be pregnant.  A suspicion that was confirmed about a week later :) Pregnancy updates start in Part III!

<3
Christina


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Rounding out 2011!

Here is my record setting 2nd post in 1 week.  I have a lot to re-cap... starting with my final non-preg-o days!  Had I been on my A-game, each of these events would have gotten their own post, however, because they didn't get done this summer, here is a Table of Contents:

This blog: 1-4:

1. Annual Tubing Trip
2. Jackson Wedding
3. Haley's Bachelorette Weekend in Miami
4. Haley's FW Bachelorette

Coming Soon!
5. Walker Wedding
6. Ashley's Bachelorette Weekend
7. Tim's 30th
(thinking I may be preg-o)
8. Iron Chef
(finding out I am definitely preg-o)
9. Ashley's wedding
10. Sara's Bachelorette
No update on Barry's Vegas Bachelor Party b/c Boys don't take pictures...
11. Thanksgiving
12. Gender Reveal Party
13. Bara Wedding
14. Christmas
... and that should bring us into 2012.  On second thought, I may not get this post finished this week.  We will see.  If you want to stop reading right here I totally understand!

1. Every year we take a trip to Greune with a big group of friends.  It is always a blast and this year did not disappoint.  Friday night we got to meet Ray Wylie Hubbard at Greune Hall, then Saturday we saw Pat Green at River Road Ice house.  Anyone every done a trip like this with a 2 month old?  Something tells me my idea of heading down in August is not going to work out as planned next year.  Here are some picks from the awesome weekend.

Gristmill:


Ray Wylie Hubbard:

 Float Trip!

Post- Float Dance Party

 Pat Green


 2. The weekend after the Float Trip our friends Scott and Kim Tied the Knot!  Tim was a groomsmen along with several of our other Dallas Friends.  Here are a few pics from the wedding:


 Nice Ties Boys.



 I don't have a good picture of their faces, but you can tell how happy Scott is here :)
 Deer Fighting?

 Biggest Regret of the night: Not accepting take home cake balls when they were offered!  They were amazing and I was a sad girl the next day!

Then, Captain Lexi took us out for a little Sunday Fun-day :)


3. Haley's pre-bachelorette girls weekend.  Haley, Laura (her MOH) and I headed down to Miami for a little fun in the sun and a few nights on the town. 

You can't make these people up: Ed Hardy Shorts,Fanny Pack, Flamboyant Accent screaming through the airport...
WELCOME TO MIAMI!
 Tapas, First Night Out
 Our BFF @ Mansion
 Check out that Hair!  Miami people did not disappoint!
Much needed down time!
 Opa!




The Delano
Last Night Out!

 4. When we got back from Miami we had Haley's big night out in Fort Worth.  There was a much larger group which made for a great time!

Glynis and Granny Cantrell did great at the games!
 Mother Daughter Sing Along :)

Every weekend we were in town we tried to make it out to the lake at least one day.  I will not bore you with the 1000's of surfing pictures I took, but I will leave you with this... a shot of one of the first times I was able to surf without the rope. 

<3
Christina