Suckered in… and okay with it

A couple of days ago my doorbell rang, and standing on my front porch was a sweet little boy scout in full boy scout attire.  This little guy was only made cuter by the fact that he couldn’t pronounce his ‘R’s correctly.  He was going door to door, selling “Boy Scouts of America Popcorn”, and while my initial reaction (silently, of course) was to think “Don’t you guys have Thin Mints??” I remembered back to my childhood… 

I can vividly remember every year of elementary school going door to door in our neighborhood trying to sell whatever cheap-o junk the school gave us to sell in hopes that I’d raise the most money and win the big prize at the end.  I remember thinking how nice the people were who would actually buy something from me, and how much I disliked the people who turned me down – or worse, wouldn’t even come to the door.  I also vividly remember how mad I’d get at the kids who cheated and let their parents take their catalogs to work with them to sell to their co-workers.  They’d always sell the most and win the prize that they hadn’t even worked for, while I’d walked door to door in the sweltering Texas heat for miles and miles.  (Cue dramatic music.)

I remember making a promise to my little first grade self back then.  I promised that when I grew up, if a child came to my door selling something - anything, I’d always buy from them.  I’ve stood in their shoes, and they deserve to be encouraged for their hard work!  And now that we’re in our first house, it’s time for me to make good on that promise. 

And that, my friends, is how I paid $20 for popcorn.    

Bump Update

I’ve been a bad blogger and haven’t updated in over a month!  So sorry.  I’ll start doing better – especially since I start my maternity leave on Saturday!!  Just two more shifts before 5 blissful weeks of organization and relaxation… as long as Knox cooperates and stays put that whole time.  :) 

Since my last post, I’ve had a couple more visits to the OB.  Two days before my 32 week visit, I had a little bit of a scare.  During the drive home from work that night I noticed I was having quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions.  I’d been on my feet all day though, so I tried to not worry about them.  But as I was eating dinner when I got home, I noticed they’d actually been pretty regular.  I timed a few and discovered they were exactly 8 minutes apart.  They didn’t necessarily hurt, but since they were so regular and had been happening for a couple of hours, I decided to call my doctor.  We decided they were probably from being on my feet all day at work, and being dehydrated.  So I drank several glasses of water, and took a warm bath – as ordered.  They slowed down, and I was able to sleep that night without any problems.  Because of the contractions though, they did another sonogram at my doctor’s appointment that week.  At 32 weeks, Knox was weighing in at 4 lbs 3 ounces.  If he gains the half pound a week like most babies should at this point, he’ll weigh around 8 and a half pounds on his due date.  Yowza!

I still feel him moving around all the time, and in the last week or so his movements have gotten HUGE.  At least they feel that way to me!  I can see my entire stomach move, and sometimes see his little heel pop up.  Logan can even feel his hiccups now, and the top left corner of my abdomen is always very firm – right where his little booty sits.  :) 

And now for the pictures you’ve so patiently been waiting for (Mom and Dad). 

30 weeks:
 
31 weeks:
 
And for the truly brave, a bare belly shot, also at 31 weeks.  (I spared you the frontal bare belly shot.  You can thank me later!)  :)  

32 weeks – I didn’t get around to taking a picture at home, so here’s one of me, bump to bump with Marcy at Knox’s shower:
And I accidentally skipped 33 weeks, so here I am today – at 34 and a half weeks.  He’s really popped out in the last couple of weeks!
 
To finish up, I just wanted to show a couple of outfits I couldn’t resist.  First, the sock monkey onsie.  Who doesn’t love the sock monkey??  (There’s a giant one on the hiney of this outfit!)
And I know it looks like a jail uniform, but it’s really Knox’s first Polo!  It’s super soft, and I just fell in love with it. 
And then there’s Lucy Loo – pre haircut.  She has no idea how much her world is about to change! 
Also, one day a couple of weeks ago I woke up to find not one, but two bouquets of beautiful flowers in my kitchen!  What a sweet husband I have! 
I hope everyone’s having a great week!  T-Minus 45 hours until maternity leave for me!  Not that I’m counting…   ;) 

A Shower for Knox!

On September 17th, several of my sweet friends hosted a beautiful baby shower for Knox!  I had such a great time getting to visit with everyone and playing with all the fun baby stuff Knox now has.  Everyone’s generosity has definitely helped me feel like we’re more prepared to bring a baby home in a few weeks. 

With the hostesses:  Lori, Jacqueline, Whitney, Shara and Rachel.
An adorable diaper cake in his nursery colors!   
Amazingly delicious cupcakes with Knox’s monogram, and some of my favorites – hydrangeas.  (They know me well… chocolate and flowers!) 
Lori made her famous fruit salad in the watermelon carriage. 
I loved this – guests wrote little notes to Knox in a Dr. Seuss book whose main character is also named Knox! 
Everyone also wrote Logan and I messages on diapers to cheer us up when we’re doing those middle of the night diaper changes.  So cute!   
Sweet high school friends, Amanda and Ginni.
Marcy and I – I was 32 weeks along, and she was around 24 weeks.
 
This picture is incredibly special to me.  It’s the last picture taken of Joyce before she passed away unexpectedly two days later.  I am so thankful I got to visit with her at the shower.  She was such an amazing lady. 
Leslie and I
And Angela and I.  Angela gave birth to her sweet little girl, Addilyn about a week later! 
My mom, Lynn, Bari and Peggy
Jacqueline and I
We played the perfect shower game for me.  We had to match the celebrity baby names with their famous parents.  Loved it!
Cute blankets!
Sweet little penny loafers. 
Cowboys pacifiers – Logan loves them.  :) 
Aunt Bari had a sweet story to go along with her gift…
…an amazing handmade quilt.  I love it!  I’m super sentimental, so I love that she and Joyce worked on it together for Knox.         
The Grandmothers-To-Be!
Me with my sweet Mamaw.  Sure do love that lady! 
All the Lowry, LaPrade, and Sheppard family. 
I had such a great time, and am so thankful for wonderful friends who came to celebrate Knox!