Christmas - December 2014

Christmas was pretty quiet this year, which is nice. It's crazy to think that next Christmas we'll have an 11 month old. I had decided I was done traveling, so we didn't make it to Katy. We stayed here and spent time together, and with Jacob's family. Christmas morning Jacob and I opened presents. Then we went to his parents house and opened a few with them. And then Gina and Stephen had come over around lunch time and we all ate a Christmas lunch! The next day Gina, Stephen, Jacob, and I went to see Into the Woods. That evening we went back to his parents house where Kim and the kids now were and spent some time with them. Jacob had a whole week and a half off for the holidays, I just had a few days and then I went back to work. Here's a few pictures.

By the time I was old enough to remember, we always had a fake tree growing up. I love that Jacob and I have been getting real trees since we've been married. I can't wait for more Christmas traditions as our family grows!

Christmas morning

This goofball is my favorite

How awesome is my husband? He made me a magnetized scrabble board. Love him so much!

So with Jacob's family we do a DIY present exchange. This year I had his brother, Michael. I tried to make him one of those 'daddy shirts'. The back has a racetrack so kids can play cars and massage your back. I failed. Haha. So I ended up making him a blanket instead.

This turned out much, much better. Haha.

And I think it's safe to say he enjoyed it.

This was Jacob's present from his Mom. I love that she even put his name on it.

Some other random happenings in December…

Jacob was asked to help out with a former employer's float in the local christmas parade. He was pretty excited. I thought it was pretty cute.

The puppies.

Sometimes, Leia has a puppy scarf...

We went and saw the west side of Kyle Field get imploded.

Kaboom!

I had to document this for Jacob, I finally parked in one of those expectant mother spots. His response… it's about time. Haha.

San Antonio - December 2014

The beginning of December we headed down to San Antonio for Jacob's brother's graduation from the Utah Air National Guard. It was really convenient for us that his basic training was in Texas. In fact, almost the whole McConnell family made it. Unfortunately, his wife (who was 8 months pregnant at the time), their son, one of Jacob's sister's husband, and their 2 girls were the only ones who didn't make it. They were very missed. And I can't imagine how awesome the reunion was when Michael got back to Utah and was able to be with his wife and son again. I was a complete baby when Jacob went to Oklahoma for Thanksgiving without me for a few days. When he got back I told him that he was never allowed to leave again. I can't imagine being in Kiya's shoes. I was thrilled for them to be together again! Jacob and I didn't get to make it to any of the graduation festivities, we did however get to spend lots of time with Michael and the rest of the family that made it there.

Seeing Michael for the first time.

All the siblings that were there on Friday night.

Look. At. That. Belly.

I've been to San Antonio a handful of times, but I've never been to this marketplace. I loved all the shops and of course the culture that was so prevalent. Normally I'm only on the river walk itself and near the Alamo. So it was fun to see this other part of downtown.

Gotta love phone pictures. Ha.

Everything started on Thursday. Janice and Kristy were there with Micheal. And then this was Friday night when more of us had gotten there.

By Saturday, Kim's family had made it there to join us. I love getting shots of Jacob with kids these days. Lol. And it's seriously the cutest the way that Corwin says his name. JaCob. He really emphasizes the C. Lol.

At the time, this was the newest niece in the family. Now Kiya and Michael's baby girl is here. And soon our baby girl will be here. That's 3 girls in a 6 month period. Kayla will be grandbaby #9 on the McConnell side.

Jacob and I were planning on leaving Saturday night, but ended up staying through Sunday. So Saturday evening we went and grabbed some nicer clothes to attend church on Sunday. I really like this dress I found, but it seriously makes me feel prego. Which I am. But that belly...

It wasn't the longest trip, but we were able to spend lots of times Michael and most of the family. It was a great weekend! Also the last weekend for me to travel anywhere. Car rides are so uncomfortable...

Doctor's orders...

Today is day 3 of 5 that I'm on doctor's ordered rest. Here's how it all started…

On Friday at work, my throat started hurting. By the time I went on break my whole throat was hurting and I was starting to get hot and sweaty, my back was in pain, and I felt like I couldn't stand anymore. I went on break and pretty much cried to Jacob the whole time. I'm kind of a baby… + pregnancy hormones = super emotional… Anywho, I ended up sitting in the back for a few hours and I still wasn't feeling any better, so I went home early. Friday night my head would not stop hurting, and my fever got up to 101, so first thing Saturday morning I went to the express clinic. Of course I was negative for flu and strep. Which is good. But I was told it's probably just a virus. Which sucks because it means they can't do anything for me. Yay for being sick when you're pregnant. The doctor there did however give me a prescription for an antibiotic and said if I don't get better in a few days to go ahead and take it. So, I went home and slept, and actually woke up feeling much better. Thank goodness, because I had my own baby shower to go to. Ha. Sunday was good too, but then Monday it came back. My throat hurt so bad, and I was starting to lose my voice. By this point I had barely over a week before my last day of work, just 6 more actual work days. And I already had a check up scheduled with my doctor for Friday so I really just wanted to stick it out. Tuesday was awful. If we weren't so short handed that day I would have left early. I was surprised I even could talk by the end of the day. My throat hurt so bad I felt like it should be bleeding on the inside. Seriously, miserable. Wednesday I finally called into work and went to the doctor. The doctor I saw said what was a virus went away and came back as a bacteria infection. But because I was so far along in my pregnancy she wanted to avoid using antibiotics, which could give the baby jaundice, and try treating the symptoms to see if once they were treated the rest would take care of itself. She also told me I needed to stay home from work through the weekend and get plenty of rest. Honestly I think that was the hardest for me. I really just wanted to get through my last few days of work, I was so close! And I know how hard it is when someone isn't there, and I had already called in. But I'm actually really glad she wrote me a note. To my surprise, 2 days later and I'm still feeling pretty miserable. I did not think it would take this long to get better. I feel like I haven't even progressed until this morning. I had my check up with my doctor and he told me to go ahead and take the antibiotics. Nothing else has been helping. I took my first dose when I got home from my appointment this morning and then I fell asleep. My throat still hurts, and the cough is still there, but I haven't felt so rested all week. I'm really hoping this does the trick. Also I hope I feel better by Monday so I can finish my last two days of work on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Being pregnant has been one of the hardest things I've done. I knew it wouldn't be easy, growing a human and all. But I didn't expect it to be this challenging. I think I've especially had a hard time accepting the fact that I can't do everything. And I know it's okay, I'm pregnant. But it feels like I've been defeated at times.

On the bright side the end is so close!! Anytime in the next three weeks or so baby girl should be here. I seriously cannot wait. Hopefully my health will be better by her arrival. They say it's all worth it in the end.

And since I've been stuck on the cough resting, I figured now would probably be a good time to update the blog. Ha.

Thankful

I was looking through my pictures trying to decide which ones to post for a 'grateful' post, and I decided there's just way too many things I'm grateful for for an instagram post. So I decided to blog about it instead.

I'm so grateful for our dogs - and their new puppies!!

Last Sunday around 11pm, right as I was falling asleep, I heard a cry from our backyard. (Our bedroom has the sliding door to the back porch where the dogs sleep) Leia had just had the 1st of 5 puppies. Pretty exciting, and kinda scary. So I kinda just sat and watched her until I fell back asleep, because really there was nothing for me to do. She was all in mommy mode and it was kinda cool. Haha. Weird but whatever. Anyways she had puppy number 5 around 6am Monday morning. They are the cutest little things!! And it's so fun to see Leia as a mom, and even Chewie as a dad. P.S. excuse the mess in the pictures. Chewie had just torn all of the stuffing out of the bed that they use. So now there's green stuffing everywhere and a sad bed in the kennel...

All 5 precious puppies

Sweet mama

He's so cute with his little babies

They are just too cute!!

I'm so grateful I got to spend time with family in Katy this Thanksgiving!

This is the first time Jacob and I have been apart overnight since we've been married, and the longest we've been apart since we started dating 3 years ago. (I know, I know. 4&1/2 days is nothing compared to what some people endure, but that doesn't mean I don't miss him like crazy.) But because of my work schedule I wasn't able to go to Oklahoma with him like we were hoping. It did, however, work out that I could go to Katy for a few days and spend some time with my family. Even better, I was able to ride there with my brother and ride back to CS with my sister in-law. No driving is a huge win for prego me ;) Thanks guys! Haha. Wednesday night my sister helped me start a registry for the baby. Thursday morning I went over to her house and went through the bazillion and one clothes for baby girl. Seriously, I don't think I'll be in need of any clothes until she's well over 2. Pretty overwhelming going through it, but such a great blessing to have so much given to us. Not to mention baby and I got some sweet cuddle time with Hutch and my nephew Harrison. AND my niece Henley actually warmed up to me. That's a huge win in my book. Haha. Afterwards we all met up at my oldest brother's house for thanksgiving dinner. What a blessing to be able to get together with almost all the family ( we missed you Missy!) and celebrate. Plus there were lots of cute cousins playing together (mostly getting along ;) ha ) and football… even though the outcome wasn't good, Jacob has turned me into a serious aggie football fan. Seriously though, family is the best. So glad I got to be with them.

Hutch and Harrison were the best cuddle buddies to me and Kayla.

How cute is this Minnie?!

(not only did she warm up to me, she even let me do her hair. for real this is a big deal. lol.)

Sweet, sweet cousins.

took this one from my sister ;)

Wish I would've gotten a few more pics of everyone!!

I'm so grateful for my sweet hubby!

Love love love that crazy guy. He's the absolute best!! And did I mention he's an AMAZING pumpkin pie maker. It's actually really cute watching him make them, a little perfectionist side of him comes out and I can't help but smile. And he's the sweetest with kids. Just a few more months and he'll be holding our sweet baby in his arms. Just thinking about it melts my heart already! I'm so so grateful that he is my complete opposite and better half. He just makes everything better. And on Tuesday he surprised me at work and it was the best, and it completely made the rest of my day. Sorry if it's getting too love-dovey. But I feel so lucky that he chose me, and I find new reasons everyday to love him more and more.

*See picture of him and puppy above, because he just looks so cute holding that little tiny puppy.*

All of my recent pics of us have been posted, so here's a few of him cuddling with Bella.

They just look so cute I can't help but snap a pic when I see them.

And an old picture of us. No significance really, just us. And I love it. And him.

Can it be Sunday night yet? I can't wait to hold him tight and not let go. That's exactly what I plan to do when I see him...

And last but certainly not least, I'm grateful for my soon to be baby girl!

I'm not a fan of being pregnant at all. But I'm a huge fan of the fact that we're about to have a sweet baby girl in our lives in less than 10 weeks!! Ahh, it's going by so fast (yet not fast enough) Haha. We can't wait to meet her :)

That belly just keeps growing!! 

We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for, an instagram post just wasn't going to cut it this time ;) Ha

Happy Thanksgiving!

October 2014

Can I just start off by how amazing my husband is?

Last night, after a supper crappy day at work, he took me to get a chocolate shake and some pizza rolls. The whole time it was raining so we just sat and waited in the extra long drive-thru lines, and he jammed out to the new Taylor Swift CD with me. Seriously, he just knows how to make everything better.

Thanks love <3

So in case you didn't know, being pregnant is really hard. Basically it almost sucks. But then she kicks and it shakes my whole belly and it makes me laugh. Or Jacob puts his head on my belly and can hear her heartbeat… and then she kicks him in the ear a few times. Those are kinda awesome. But all the rest of it sucks.

Besides being completely exhausted from work and growing a baby, I've managed to be somewhat productive.

I finally got around to making some vinyl letters for my mother in-law. I love the way it turned out. And I can't wait to add a picture to her cute grandchildren wall in a few months ;) Ha

I also made a sign for the baby's room. I had higher hopes for the way it would turn out, but it's still cute. Even if I put on one of the words crooked… Lol.

Speaking of which. Her room is coming along… very slowly. Not good enough for a picture yet. Haha. We've been so blessed to get TONS of clothes, toys, and other things from cousins. But at the same time, there's a lot to go through. So it's a work in progress. Hopefully soon Daddy will paint her dresser and we can get a little more organized.

I think Jacob is slowly getting acting more comfortable with the idea that we're gonna have a little girl. (He still denies it, but we all know that he's going to be wrapped around her little finger.) We teach the 6 and 7 year olds at church and you can just tell he's starting to bond with them a lot more. And Baby Bella warms up to him a lot easier now. Normally it takes her the whole time she's here to be okay with him, but the other day when we were watching her she went right up next to him and cuddled. Well long enough for me to snatch a picture ;) Hehe. Either way, he's cute. I can't wait to see him with our baby.

Pretty sure Bella still doesn't quite understand what's going on. But she'll still point to her belly when we ask her where the baby is. Haha. And she rubs my belly. She can even almost say her cousin's name. It's precious.

Trying to get her to say Kayla.

And last but certainly not least, Halloween.

Honestly, the only reason we dressed up was for $3 bowls from Chipotle.

Best. Decision. Ever.

The line was out the door when we got there, but I feel like we didn't even wait 10 minutes before it was our turn to order. Plus, we looked pretty cute :) Hehe. 

Jacob and some friends from out of town were planning on going to the A&M game the next day, so we hung out and caught up with them, and then we all went to midnight yell.

It took me a few days to recover from midnight yell, which is why I didn't go to the game. But I'm so bummed I didn't go. I've already told Jacob multiple times that he has to take me next year.

Dat Belly...

It was a struggle to included the football belly in the pic. Haha.

Mmm Chipotle. Now I want some :)

Love this guy <3

Midnight yell is one of my favorite aggie traditions.

One day I'll actually make it to a game.

One day when I'm not pregnant. Haha.

I've been wanting to take a picture like this for a while. And it's probably my favorite picture to date. Ha!

Well that's about it for now. I'm over due on my "7 months" picture, but as you can tell, the belly is growing! Next up is holiday season, and before you know it baby will be here. Can't wait!! :)