Pumpkin's Austin Baby Shower...

Yesterday we celebrated Pumpkin with a baby shower here in Austin. I am blessed to have 6 wonderful friends who offered to put it on. The funny thing was that most of them met for the first time at the shower!

Here they are from left to right:
Sharon - my Catholic compass and wonderful prayer partner
Lorena - my former roommate in college, bridesmaid, etc.
Paula - a friend who has mirrored my life - moved to Austin at the same time, got married a week apart, pregnant together, etc.
me
Erin - my wonderful NFP teacher and support with our infertility
Robin - my former co-worker and wonderful cheerleader
Danielle - my husband's best friend's wife who has become one of my closest friends


My mom, sister and me


Me and my sister Tessa, and the cute rocker she painted and was given to Pumpkin by her and my mom


And I was very fortunate to have several other pregnant mommas at the shower. We may have to all get together in November for an updated photo... From right to left they are:
Rowena, due end of May
Lisa, due mid June
me, due June 19
Robin (due end of August)
Paula (due beginning of October)
Kristy (due middle of October)


Thanks again for everyone who helped prepare this special day, and helped us in all the things we need for our little one. Just a few more weeks...

update on the GD...

Well, looks like my readers have been praying hard for me and Pumpkin because...we have stopped taking the gestational diabetes medication!! yea! Seems like it was working a little too much, and my ob/gyn wanted me to get off it for a week. So, I'm going to work *super hard* this week to get the diet just right, and exercise, so that we don't have to go back on it. At least 3 times in the past week I have become hypo-glycemic (light-headed, shaky, fast heartbeat, etc.).

Thank you!! And we will keep y'all updated! Already 35 weeks tomorrow....

my friend Emily...

My friend Emily found this posting for me. Beautiful. Thank you!

If you want a fun read, check out her blog! Always keeps me laughing and smiling of her experiences as a mom of 5! Now I remember going to her wedding...and hanging out at St. Mary's even before she met her husband!! How wonderful to have blogs to keep up with each other's lives!!

6 1/2 years...

Last week we went to Green Pastures to celebrate our anniversary. We went there 6 years ago when Ryan proposed. Here we are then...


And here we are last week, 6 1/2 years later. Just little bit different!


And Happy Mother's Day too!

34 weeks...

I can't believe it, we are at 34 weeks! Amazing! Here's a photo of me earlier this week at 33 weeks. Some days, I feel like I haven't changed, others I feel huge. I think we can go with huge in this photo...


We've had some difficult news this week. Seems like diet has not been able to manage my gestational diabetes, so I've been put on medication (low dose, mornings only). But, since I am on medication, this means weekly ultrasounds to check on the baby's size, and that I will probably have to be induced before my due date. There are other risks, including high chance of stillborn, bigger baby, etc.

It has been difficult for us to deal with this. Seems like soo much has been out of our control with this pregnancy. I know that it will prepare us for our child, and in a few weeks, I will be holding him or her and it will be all worth it. Just hard to see that at this time.

So, just keep us in your prayers. I am hoping that perhaps with increased healthy eating and exercise I can stop taking the medication, and we can try to proceed as naturally as possible. But, if not, we will continue on. May not be my "ideal" pregnancy or birth, but what really is?

Majella Society dinner

Last month, Ry and I attended the Majella Society 4th Annual Benefit Dinner. We had a great time at the table of our good friends, the Gretencords. I think we had the most pro-baby table at the dinner!

Sharon and Adam (parents to 4, most recently Gianna, born September 07)


Mike and Mary (parents of 2, grandparents to 5)


Shana and James (parents of Thomas, born December 07)


Rowena and Dustin (baby due end of May)


And us (due mid June)


And a few pregnant momma photos!

Me and Nicole (who had her daughter Caroline on Monday! Yea!)


And lastly a cute momma photo of Rowena and me! What a great event! Thanks Sharon and Adam for inviting us!

Happy Anniversary!!

Wow! Today is our 6th wedding anniversary! Amazing!! It was about this time that we were getting to the church, doing some photos, and getting ready for the vows. Today we went to that same church, our parish, St. Albert the Great, and our pastor gave us an anniversary blessing. How wonderful!

We sure have had a great few years! We've been able to travel, bought a house, and brought 4 souls into this world. Thank you Ryan for being my partner through all this. You are my best friend and I cannot imagine my life without you! I am a better person with you. Can't wait to go celebrate tonight at the place you proposed to me, Green Pastures.

I was going to post some photos from the wedding, but that's a sore subject...a different photographer showed up at the wedding, ran out of film, did a poor job...

So, here is my favorite from our honeymoon - a week in Kauai, Hawaii! It was amazing!!

my last day...

Today is it, my last day of work. I thought it would be interesting to chronicle my work experience, since this afternoon I become a full-time mom...

Following college, I worked for almost 2 years in Houston as a software installer at Universal Computer Systems (now called Reynolds and Reynolds).

Then I moved to Austin, without a job, hoping that the tech boom would make it easy for me. Within a couple weeks, I found a job working as the administrative assistant, with the Office of Youth Ministry with the Diocese of Austin. Over the next 4 years, we would also take on Young Adult and Campus Ministry.

Then I worked in the office at our parish, St. Albert the Great. I scheduled wedding and baptisms, and did general office work. It was great meeting more members of the parish.

And then I left there, in December of 2006, to become the Director of Community Development at Texas Alliance for Life. It has been a different job for me, but lots of what I love (event planning, working with volunteers, etc.). The organization has had a tremendous amount of growth in the past 2 years, and I am happy to be a part of it. The amazing thing is that I only worked there 20 hours a week, and was able to get soo much done. I'm soo thankful for a husband who allows me to work for the great non-profits that I have been associated with.

This week, they had a nice good-bye lunch for me at la Madeleine. And surprised me with a few gifts for our little pumpkin too! I'm really going to miss them! It has been a great time, with great friendships, learning and more! I hope to continue to stay active, and bring our little pumpkin along.

So, as of 2:30 pm today, I will be retired. Retired from my "regular" jobs, in order to prepare me for my vocation as a mom. I'm excited about this new journey, and so very thankful!!

World's Largest Baby Shower

For those in the Austin area, come join us next weekend for the World Largest Baby Shower with the Round Rock Express. It benefits a local pregnancy help center, Agape Pregnancy Resource Center. All you have to do is bring a new baby item, and you'll get a free ticket to the Friday, May 2nd game. What could be better!

See y'all at the ballpark!

31 at 31...

We here I am, 31 years old and 31 weeks pregnant! yea!

Had my appointment with my dietician today. We are doing well on the gestational diabetes diet, so no need for insulin at this point! yea! It has been easier to manage then I thought, especially with such a supportive and helpful husband!

We were able to have a tour of the hospital today too. The birthing rooms were great, but the post-birth rooms looked kinda small. May have to splurge and get a suite or mini suite. Hopefully they will finish the construction by the time pumpkin arrives...

Lastly had our doc appointment. I'm up 20 pounds with this pregnancy! yea! Everything else looks good. Now on to 2 week appointments...

Pumpkin's Dallas Baby Shower...

This past weekend, we had our first baby shower in Dallas! It was lots of fun! We did some traditional games, like "guess the chocolate bar in the diaper" and "clothespin game" - where you can't say baby, pregnancy or cute! Amy also make a cute bingo game (kinda like at our wedding shower). She also asked the guests to bring a pack of diapers or wipes, and they were entered into a drawing for a cute basket (and we got lots of diapers and wipes! yea!).

It was hosted by 3 great friends from my time in Aggieland, Traci, Amy, and Bernice.

Both grandmothers also made it to the party (my mom on the left, Ry's on the right). Amy was sweet to give them each a present - a grandmother's brag book!

Also had our token baby at the shower (hi Andrew).

And a few of us Aggies (check out those cool rings!).

And our token Longhorn. Thanks for being such a good sport Dawn.

We stayed the night with my friend Amy and her family. Here I am with her daughters Ashleigh and Michelle, our goddaughter. Thanks everyone for such a great weekend!! Pumpkin's room is getting nicely stocked!

got the GD...

Well, looks like it is confirmed that I have Gestational Diabetes. They test you for this around your 28th week of pregnancy.

According to the American Diabetes Association:

Pregnant women who have never had diabetes before but who have high blood sugar (glucose) levels during pregnancy are said to have gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects about 4% of all pregnant women - about 135,000 cases of gestational diabetes in the United States each year.

We don't know what causes gestational diabetes, but we have some clues. The placenta supports the baby as it grows. Hormones from the placenta help the baby develop. But these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. This problem is called insulin resistance. Insulin resistance makes it hard for the mother's body to use insulin. She may need up to three times as much insulin.

Gestational diabetes starts when your body is not able to make and use all the insulin it needs for pregnancy. Without enough insulin, glucose cannot leave the blood and be changed to energy. Glucose builds up in the blood to high levels. This is called hyperglycemia.

Luckily, my levels weren't too high, so it looks like I may be able to deal with this through diet. I do have to check my levels 4 times a day with this handy device.

As well as document what I eat, I have to eat 6 smaller meals (what my doc has been telling me all along), and limit my carbs. My wonderful husband is doing this with me - so hopefully we will both be healthier for the process. If this is what I need to do to have a healthy baby, I can do it!

We are also off to Big D this weekend for my first baby shower! Soooo excited to see my friends and family up there!

PS - Thanks for all the suggestions, comments and prayers! We really appreciate it!

High...

Looks like my glucose levels are high, so I probably have gestational diabetes. I am meeting with a counselor this week for management.

If you could say a little prayer for us, it would really mean a lot. I'm a little worried about it all...

Any advice, prayers, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

30 weeks...

TODAY!! Whoop!

Also, if you could say a little prayer for me and pumpkin tomorrow. I failed the glucose test, so we've been on a restricted diet these past 3 days, and go in for a 3 hour glucose test tomorrow. I don't really want to have gestational diabetes, but if that does happen, we want to do what is best for me and pumpkin. Will keep y'all (stalker and blog posters) updated!

My sweet husband...

Last night Ry was giving me a hug. Then he said "Family hug". So true, we were all there! What a sweet thing to say!

the nursery transformation...

Okay, well it started like this...


And then my painters (my sister and cousins) came for spring break (thanks Tessa, Monica, Allison and Corey)...


And we celebrated Easter by putting up the chair rail (all that hard work Justin)...


And the in-law's came and helped touch up the place...


And now it is home to the crib! Whoop!


Ry is still finishing the closet, so I'll post those when he is done. Then we will move the furniture back in. Planning to order the rocker/glider this week! So, check back for the final product!

my former roomie...

This past weekend I made a short jaunt to Aggieland - Whoop! I saw one of my former roomies, Mary (who married one of my other former roomies Rich). Well, Mary is expecting baby #3, little William! He will join his brothers Richie and Andrew. Only fitting that we should take a photo of our increasing tummies! And the crazy thing is, we are due just 3 weeks apart! How great! Happy gestating Mary! Can't wait for our little ones to meet!!

28 weeks!

Here I am at 28 weeks (already at 29 1/2 now). Ry and his parents (as well as my sister and cousins) have completely transformed Pumpkin's room. Photo progress to come!

What's in a name...

My friend Amber, who is coming to the end of her pregnancy, posted about names for her baby. She asked her readers to post how they got their names and/or decided on the names for their children. Was it after family, saints, or just liking the name? I thought it was a very interesting discussion so I'm challenging you, my loyal readers, to comment! And I know, I have some blog stalkers - y'all can post too!

Here is some background on my name:
As many of y'all may know, I was named Alexis Marie. The names they had thought of before going to the hospital was Clare (or Mark if I was a boy). I've been told I am no Clare. The only problem they had was my maternal grandparents lived in South America, where Alexis was a male name. They were not very happy that their first grandchild (and a girl) was named a "boy" name. Marie was after my mom Maria. I just loved my name, and loved having a good nickname too - Lexy.

I'll let Ry post on how he got his name! I look forward to reading your postings!!

Also, to keep everyone in suspense, we are not revealing the gender (since we don't know) or our names (since we still can't decide). We are taking suggestions...

off to the beach...

We are off for a few days a the beach! Ry was asking pumpkin this morning if he/she was ready for his first trip! Hopefully momma is - it is a long car ride! Should be fun also to see Charlie the dog interact with the ocean. Whoop - babymoon part 2 (or would it be 3...)

good news...

After 18 weeks of progesterone shots, it looks like I am *finally* in the correct range! No more shots!! Whoop! Good job pumpkin!!

it is funny...

When you are looking something up on the internet and find a photo of yourself...



More info at UT Non Profit Career Fair (you know, the other school!)

98 days...

Well, today is the day! 98 days to my due date from Dr. Love which is June 19 (although the 20 week ultrasound pushed it to June 23). I can't believe it has gone soo fast!! Today I move into my 3rd trimester. So much to get done!

This week we've had a house full of college girls. 3 of my cousins (Monica, Allison and Corey) and my sister Tessa have been here. They painted the baby's room and it is beautiful! I will totally think of them every time I go in the room.

AND My parents come in this weekend, so we will have fuller house this weekend! But the house is filled with love and laughter - it has been wonderful!

pregnancy musings...

This last week pumpkin has developed a new habit - waking me up at night. Sometime between 2-4 am I am woken by his/her kicking. I try to go back to sleep, but usually am awake at least an hour, up to 4 hours.

This has given me time to ponder my pregnancy. We have been wanting to expand our family for a few years now. And with 3 miscarriages, hormonal problems and chromosomal issues, it has been quite a roller coaster.

Due to that, it was hard for the first several weeks for me to actually believe I was pregnant. I didn't even start my pregnancy book until I was 14 weeks pregnant. Through all this time, though, I feel we have been soo loved and comforted. So many have lifted us up in prayer, I know that is why things have been going so well.

And things have. Yet, in the middle of the night you still wonder. Are we doing the right thing? Will I be a good mom? Will I be able to provide for my child? Can I be as good of a mom as my mom was for me?

And then I remember that I have a wonderful network - a super husband, wonderful family, friends, and those who lurk this blog :-)

But what if I didn't? What if I had no one? What if I had no supportive husband who makes dinner when I can't stand the smell of food? Or wonderful friends offering to throw me not one but two baby showers? How hard would this be? And so many women have to go through this each day.

So as I laid in bed last night, trying to go back to sleep, I grabbed Ry's hand. I knew everything would be just fine. We will do the best we can for all our children - that is what we have been doing and continue to do.

And when I get discouraged, I will offer it up for those women who do this alone. That they will be comforted by His love, and be given the strength to persevere.

We have a theme!!

Yea! We have a theme for pumpkin's room! We found it about a week ago when my mom was visiting. Has such beautiful colors and reminds us of New Zealand!

My sister and 3 of my cousins are coming this weekend to visit us for a week for their spring break. Oh to have spring break again... I thought a good project for them would be to paint the baby's room! Will post some before and after's in the coming weeks!

10 pounds!!!

I have now officially put on 10 pounds with this pregnancy!! Seems like my double stuff oreo diet has worked! Only thing is that I probably can't do it anymore :-(

My doc appointment went well - 24 weeks!! Baby is growing and has a healthy heartbeat. Now to other baby stuff - to decide on a pediatrician, to circumcise or not (have to research, since we are not finding out), finalizing the baby room colors, cloth diapering, register, etc.!! I guess this is why God gives you 9 months - there is lots to be done! I always wondered this while I was dealing with our infertility - I wanted a baby now! But, in going through all this, I'm glad to have 16 more weeks (or less!!).\

Yesterday Ry and I had a romantic dinner at the Melting Pot. We love going out for fondue! And so did pumpkin - around 4 am he/she woke me up kicking!! yes, kicking!! seems like he/she likes the chocolate fondue.

Off to Dallas this weekend - work stuff and to see our god daughter. Ry will stay here - I was going to make him a honey-do list, but I think he has it covered.

living in the 'burbs...

As many of y'all know, our house backs up to a dead-end road. When the weather is nice, people like to park back there and it creeps me out!!

Yesterday it happened again! I guess because it was a nice night. A pick-up pulled behind, and fixed it so the front was facing our home (and the back the field behind our house) - around 10 pm. Then all lights went off. I told Ry and he went downstairs. Turned on our light (there is no light on the street), and tried to look over the fence. No avail, they wouldn't leave.

So, I used my worried voice and called the dispatcher's office. Told them a creepy car was behind the house, and had been there at least 10 minutes. Within 5 minutes 2 sheriff's cars pulled up - lights in force! Eventually one went away, and we could see the cop talking to one person, a man. We couldn't see the other until she stood up in the bed of the truck. She was putting on her clothes!!! Yes, people were naked behind my house!! And I gave them time to "get in the mood" before I called the cops!

Guess I'm one of those evil suburban homeowner's now... Ry said if we had night video equipment we could have made lots of money on this experience. I just don't want creepy people behind my house! Find another unlit road!! And beware, this homeowner will call the cops!

Babymoon part 2 - DC

Well, DC was a little different from NYC...

We got to DC on Thursday, 2/7. Ry wasn't feeling well, when we got to our friend Pam's home, his temperature was 102.8! She made him some chicken soup and he was in bed by 7 pm.

The next day we went to an urgent care clinic and found out that Ry had walking pneumonia!! He had to get his first IV ever!! I asked the doc if we should head home, but he said Ry was too sick to travel!!!

Luckily we were staying the next few days at a hotel. Pam graciously brought us over dinner that night!! Ry just rested.

Saturday, Pam, her girls and I went to Arlington Cemetery. Wow, what an amazing place. We meandered through it, and were able to see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Here is a photo of Pam's girls Rachael and Allison, and me at the pavilion.


Sunday we went to Mass with Pam and family. Afterwards we took the Metro into DC, and saw our friends Erin and Joe. Joe gave us a driving tour of DC, but we didn't get out because it was super cold and windy. We did get out at the Iwo Jima Memorial, and it felt like the teens! From there you can also see the Washington Memorial.



We then headed back for a restful evening.

Monday we got to see some Smithsonian museums - Air & Space and Natural History. We had fun exploring both, and I just loved seeing the Hope Diamond at Natural History. We wanted to go to American History, but it is closed until the summer. They did have some items on display at Air & Space - C3PO, R2D2, Dorothy's red slippers, etc. At least we saw the highlights.

Tuesday we did our Capital events. We went on a tour of the White House with Pam and her girls. We saw about 6 rooms. It was self-guided but cool to actually be in the White House. Then we had a tour of the Capital. We went with a staffer from our US Rep's office - Mike McCaul. We were the only ones on the tour! It was great - took over 2 hours!! A highlight of our trip!!

Tuesday night an ice storm hit the area. People were stuck on the roads 4 - 9 hours!! We actually got out of our taxi 1/2 a block from our hotel because it was costing too much money staying parked!

Wednesday we headed back. We saw Pam and Allison for lunch. It was soo great to see her, and spend time with her beautiful family!!


One of the funniest signs was at the Metro! Thought y'all would get a kick from it - don't have any of these in Texas!!


Ry is finally doing better. He was on antibiotics for 10 days, and I have not gotten sick! I tell Ry it is because I got the St. Blaise blessing at Mass on Feb. 3, and he decided not to do it. Don't think he'll miss that one!

We'll post some more photos on our flickr account!! Probably this weekend!

Babymoon - NYC

Well, we had a wonderful time in NYC! Whoop!

We flew into DC, and then took the train to Penn Station in NYC. From there we hiked up about 20 blocks to the convent where we were staying, Centro Maria.

Friday, 2/1 was our first full day. We went to the Met and that night I had dinner with 2 of my cousins, Tristan and Chris. I hadn't seen them in awhile and we had a nice, 3 hour dinner!


Saturday was our day full of the Sisters for Life. Our friend, Sr. Mary Clare, decided to postpone her vows, but a few us of Aggie Catholics decided to go up anyways. There was a beautiful Mass for the 2 other sisters who took their vows, and then a special family dinner that evening.


We finished that evening going to the Catholic Underground, hosted by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. What an amazing time and great music. On our way back we came with some girls from Centro Maria, and here is Times Square in the background.


Sunday we headed to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Thanks Laurie for recommending the audio tour! It was great and we had fun exploring. It was probably the best day weather wise, and we had a great time!!



Monday we were able to catch up with a friend of ours Jeff who was also visiting NYC. We did the NBC Studios tour, and checked out Rockafeller Center.

We were also able to be a part of the David Letterman show audience. The funny thing was that they were shooting the Tuesday episode, so we had to pretend we had voted in super Tuesday, went to the parade, etc.

Tuesday we participated in the Giants ticker tape parade. The last one was prior to 9/11, It was fun participating, and to see what they think is ticker tape - shredded paper, shredded newspaper, whole sheets of paper, rolls of toilet paper, etc.




We also went to the UN, and saw a broadway show - Curtains with David Hyde Pierce.

Wednesday we went to the American Museum of Natural History. That night I hung out with my cousin Tristan again, since Ry wasn't feeling well. Since it was Ash Wednesday, I got my ashes at St. Patrick's Cathedral! Beautiful!!

Check back tomorrow for more on DC...

belly update...

Well, my family has been after me to post some pictures of my increasing belly! Here you go!

Pumpkin has really been changing these last few months! I feel him/her moving all around, kicking and such. It is amazing!! Pumpkin is over 12 oz in weight, and over 7 inches long!! Whoop!

As promised, here is the progression! Tomorrow (when we are 23 weeks) watch for updates on our NYC/DC adventure!!

14 weeks


16 weeks


19 weeks (we forgot 18)


20 weeks


and 22 weeks

we're back!

We are back, safe and sound!!

Will post an update on what we did this weekend. It was an interesting trip, a little more excitement than we were planning for. That should be a good teaser to have you come back :-)

Pumpkin is doing well. Has learned how to kick mommy, and I'm feeling our little one squirm lots more now. Very exciting!!

david letterman...

Check out David Letterman on Monday!! We got tickets to be in the audience!! whoop!

20 weeks old!!

Just wanted to post our most recent photo of pumpkin. Had the 20 week ultrasound today and all is going well! Pumpkin is weighing in at a helfty 12 ounces, and is perfectly on track!! yea!!



You can even see in this photo of pumpkin's perfect foot - even the toes! Didn't really feel him/her kicking me, but I know that will start soon!!

We will be going to see Dr. Love this afternoon, and then ready to head out on our babymoon!! NYC and DC, here we come!!

a great weekend!!

What a great weekend we had! Got to go to a private reception with Dr. Alveda King, niece of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. We had a good time meeting her. She also did a a great job at the Texas Rally for Life. All went well, and God sure provided on the beautiful weather. I was even listening to the radio this morning and the were talking about it!

And I think the oreos and ice cream is working - putting on a few more pounds. This has been one of my worries through this pregnancy. I'm almost halfway there (19 1/2 weeks) and have only put on a few. We'll see Wednesday how well I've done - we have the big ultrasound and prenatal appt. Watch for pics!!

Last night it happened. Everyone told me it would. I just hadn't felt it. The butterflies came!! Yes, that is what it feel like to have your baby kick! Little pumpkin was all moving around when I was trying to go to sleep. I woke up Ry to tell him and he tried to see if he could feel it too. That may take a few weeks until he can feel it. I'm very excited - not sure how I slept last night!

Lastly, we are off to our babymoon to NYC and DC this week. Post or email me any suggestions you have up there - this is our first real visit!

Happy Birthday hubby!

Just wanted to wish my dear husband a wonderful 32nd birthday and upcoming year! I have truly enjoyed these last 9 1/2 years getting to know the awesome man that you are! You continue to surprise and amaze me. May this year be filled with new adventures, new experiences and a true sense of contentment!

We celebrated tonight by going out for Greek food. yum! And this weekend Ry's parents came to help us install a beautiful new back door, as well as celebrate at Chuy's. Always revolving around food...

Happy New Year!!

Well, we are finally back and recovered from our ventures up and down I-35 - to see Ry's and my family! It was a great time away, but glad to be home.

Had my 16 week appt. today! Baby is doing great - 140 beats a minute!! The nurse even said he/she was kicking due to the sounds we were hearing. What an amazing sound - our child!

We'll have the "big" sonogram in about 3 weeks. And sorry to disappoint, we will not be finding out the sex! We will all have to wait!!

I'll update with some photos from Christmas and all. Just need Ry to upload...

Happy New Year! What a great adventure 2008 is going to be!