3 Months

Aubree Kate-

There are no words to describe the joy you bring us each and every day. You are now 3 months old. You sleep from 10 till 6 or 7 a.m. You talk non stop. It's so cute when you lay on your changing table. You get your mouth moving but wait for me to initate the conversation. You do better with tummy time and are getting really strong because of it. You scoot your legs when you figure out your arms we'll be in trouble. You love your wub-a-nubs! Soon you will know how to get it in your mouth! Sometimes you have bad dreams when your napping, I don't like and you don't either. You love your hands and now your feet! You are growing up way to fast!

3 years

3 years ago I said I do to the most wonderful man. Time has flown by! We are enjoying our new addition and trying to get creative with ways to spend time together. We are venturing out this weekend to San Antonio for a one night get-a-way! Life is not always perfect, but like one of my favorite songs says "God gave me you for the ups and downs". I love you honey! I am looking forward to many more years! Happy Anniversary!

2 months

At two months of age Aubree Kate weighs almost 12 lbs. She loves to kick her feet on the couch, activity mat, your stomach, wherever she can. She really hates tummy time. She sleeps in her own room and sleeps from 10-6ish. She smiles, laughs, and talks. She knows when her diaper is getting changed it's time to have a conversation. She looks at you with her mouth open and ready to tell you how her day is going, she just waits for you to ask. She has had her first sickness where her fever reached 104 and she was not a happy baby. She has been kept by her grandma (name still in progress), her mimi, her Auntie E, and Miss Jill. She loves being outside, the breeze is so relaxing to her. She follows you as you walk around her and is really interested in new faces and noises. She occassionally fussy mainly just when her tummy hurts (who can blame her!)
She is growing up so fast! We are so in love and so blessed!

Momma said there'd be days like this:

-when you change yourself 3 times a day because your sweet baby has pooped or spit up all over you
-when you change your daughter the same amount of times for the same reasons
-when you'd do 3 loads of laundry a day for 3 people
-when your child would get her first sickness and you would be a nervous wreck
-when no matter what you do your baby will still fuss for no reason at some point throughout the day
-when your angel will look at you with her beautiful eyes and smile because she knows it is you
-when you'd have to let go a little at a time
-when people would be mean just because
-when you'd go 3 days without a shower because you can't catch a break
-when you'd look up and see how fast time really does pass you by
-when you'd have to forgive when you really really don't want to
-when you forget to feed yourself because you're to busy feeding your baby and husband
-when you'd just stare at your child and tell her how beautiful and special she is
-when you'd still wake up during the night while your baby sleeps through it
-when you'd realize how important date nights are
-when you learn what sacrifice and selflessness really mean
-when you'd realize what life is really all about and no matter how crazy things get you are thankful for everything God has blessed you with!

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Lately...

There is so much to catch up on. So much I've wanted to blog about but everyday have decided against it. In my best effort to keep with that decision I will skip alot and just talk about what's going on now.
We are 2 weeks out from meeting our little girl. Unless of course she decides to come early! We are done with the nursery and everything I can think of that needs to be done before her arrival. The car is packed and the car seat is in. Spring break was a great time to get all the last minute stuff done. My mom came and helped and that was fabulous! I can't wait for her return when Aubree is born. Everything is looking good on the diabetes side of things. Still maintaining it with diet, though I do always have one bad number a week :/. As far as a the blood clot, that has been interesting. I'm going to skip a lot and just tell what will happen from here. I still have to go every week for an ultrasound to make sure it hasn't moved. About 12-24 hours after delivery (as long as I don't have to have c-section) I will begin anticoagulant therapy and start taking some pills. Basically I will have to have shots in my stomach for a few weeks. They will teach me how to do this myself. Hopefully I can manage it! This all will happen for 12 weeks after delivery.  I will still have to go for ultrasounds that whole time too. Thank God for insurance! Then I will never be allowed on birth control or any type of estrogen again! Haha! Lord help! We'll see how those appointments work out with a newborn. The whole process is an hour!
I'm anxious, nervous, but mainly JUST READY for delivery and holding her for the first time. I often wake up wondering what she will look like and what her personality will be. I can't believe the time is near. It seems like I've been pregnant forever and then at the same time sometimes it still doesn't feel real at all!
I have a list of food items I want to devour after delivery. Things I've been missing out on. It really has been a good thing though! I have barely gained any weight and at my last appointment (Wednesday) I actually lost 4 pounds. I hope I can get down lower than what I was before with breastfeeding and continuing to eat well. (After I have some of the items on my list that is!)
Pre-labor stuff....I have had several off and on contractions some that stop me dead in my tracks. I've been having a ton of lower back pain, which I noticed the moment she dropped. She is definietly down and ready! Lost my plug (sorry if that is TMI). I think that is about it. I go this coming up Wednesday where she will scan me and check for a more accurate weight and then her fluid level. I posted on facebook (big mistake) about her wanting to possibly induce on the 28th. This scan will help her better make a decision to see if it is medically necessary. I am not inducing unless she deems it medically necessary, she knows that. I am not in fear, I know the risks and the benefits, but I am a gestational diabete who does have a blood clot in her leg so I am considered high risk. Enough said.
In closing I'll leave you with some pictures of her nursery. All the empty frames are waiting to be filled with her newborn pictures and a few pictures of her mommy and daddy!

Stay tuned for posts on delivery and life with our princess (also A. Snell)!

A little bit of this and that

I have once again fallen behind with my blog. I've been a little tired and busy lately. Most of you know what is going on with my leg. I appreciate all the prayers. It still hurts constantly but the good news is, it is shrinking. I go Thursday for what will be my third ultrasound on the spot. I am hoping for a good report so I can begin to rest easy again. I wouldn't say my pregnancy has been difficult just a few hiccups along the way. I can't believe I'm almost 36 weeks! Time has flown and drug by all at the same time (if that makes any sense at all).
I have been busy with trying to get last minute things done around the house and organzing all these wonderful gifts from friends and loved ones. I am very grateful for all the love Ryan, Aubree, and myself have received.
Nerves have definetly set in. I am about to be a mom and I have no idea what to do! I'm trying not to stress about the delivery and how all that will happen, but it is on my mind a lot! We have the rest of our child birth class this Saturday, as well as a tour of the hospital. It will cover infant care.
I have so much to look forward too! I can't wait to hold her, kiss her, and love her to pieces. God is so good!

Thank you for your continous prayers!

33 weeks-a little late

This post is late….and no pics this time. I guess I’ve been busy!

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Best moment this week: Breastfeeding class and baby shower hosted by my dear friends.

Miss Anything? Still carbs and sleep!
Movement: All day and night
Food cravings: Sweets
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: Yes of course
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Almost flat...still holding strong
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: Finishing the nursery even more and showers!

This is from my preggo app and it cracked me up!

If only you’d known you were going to trade…

-monthly PMS for nine months of weeping

-Lacy thongs for cotton tents

-Sex for gas

-Zinfandel for warm milk

-Birth control for laxatives

-Going to the gym for getting up to pee

-Your waist for a hot-air balloon

-Kickboxing for counting kicks

-Your innie for an outie-a way-outie

-Sleeping for groaning

-Freedom for the most intense love you’ve ever known

I always want what I can't have

...and I hate that about myself. I have struggled with contentment my whole life. Always wanting the next best thing. Some type of improvement in my life. I get so frustrated with myself. Even being pregnant I couldn't wait for the first trimester to be over so I could begin the second, the second so I could start the third, and now the third so I can hold my baby. Everyone says slow down and enjoy this time, you'll miss feeling her kick. And I know head wise this is all accurate and I will look back and wish I would have. The heart is where I struggle. I want a cheeseburger because I can't have it. I want wine everyday because I'm not supposed to have it. What a twisted thought process I have going on. I know that if I could have either of those (and trust me the list is much longer) this wouldn't be an issue. I wouldn't think about it like I do now. I want a bigger house when mine is perfectly liveable for our size now. I want a better job with more pay or no job at all so I can stay home. Messed up huh!
I'm always looking toward the next moment, the next month, the next event rarely allowing myself the priveledge of fully participating and embracing the happenings right before me.
I'm probably not alone in this or at least I hope not (not that I hope you are like this too) but if I am alone in this that means I have a lot of struggles to endure alone.
The point of this post is unclear to me...am I venting or asking for praying in my struggle. Let's go with both for the heck of it. Help me. Pray for me. Give me advice if you so choose. Help me cling to this verse "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5
In closing, I just have to ask...is there anyone else out there?

32 Weeks

How far along? 32 weeks, 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes, pants and most shirts!
Stretch marks? Nope.
Best moment this week: Finishing most of her nursery and her first homemade gift from mommy! Pics to come!Miss Anything? CARBS, SWEETS! A stinkin' cheeseburger
Movement: All day and night
Food cravings: Only now because I'm limited to lots of healthy stuff. This week I wanted pizza, a cheeseburger, and enchiladas
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: For sure..Last week I was called a butterball and today was told I have a basketball! But everyone is super sweet telling me nice compliments!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Almost flat.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: Our baby shower! Yay!
And the rest of our comprehension childbirth class. I learned a lot yesterday, most I didn't want to know. I feel more nervous now than I did before the class in some aspects!

Waddle, Waddle, Shake it, Shake it

This momma is waddle waddlin’, while princess is shake shakin’ it! Holy Moly this girl can move! I amazed very day at how much more active she is becoming. I love it! I’ll be honest it is interfering with some much needed sleep! I can deal with that though because it is reassuring feeling her and knowing it’s all good in her hood! Last night was one of the sweetest preggo moments I’ve had. We laid down in bed and Ryan was talking to Aubree. He had his face on my belly and she kept kicking him in the cheek. He loved it. He decided we needed to sing to her (you may think it’s corny..I don’t). As we sang it felt as if she was directing us. Every limb was going crazy. Sister did not calm down at all! Every time I woke up to potty she was still going at it. Now I’m sure she was probably still during some parts of the time but it honestly didn’t feel like it. This made it extremely hard to get up this morning! I felt like I’d been hit by a freight train! I wouldn’t trade for anything and drank 2 cups of coffee to get me through the day! She also stuck her rear end out at us last night. Already a lil’ stinker! Today marks 32 weeks! 8 to go and I am running out of room! My ribs are crushed! I keep trying to figure out how this is going to last for 8 more weeks with all the growing she has left to do. It should be interesting!

Nesting in FULL mode

I didn't really ever think it would happen like this...Just decide in brief moment that things need to change around this house. But that is what happened. Today. I ordered closet organizers and bought baskets to reorganize. I started with our bathroom. Here are the before pictures (and yes I am embarrassed I ever let it get this way):

After a little work and purging this is what I came up with to fix this mess of a bathroom!

Not perfect, but good enough!

More rooms to come!

31 Weeks

How far along? 31 weeks, 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: Lost a few last week so I'm at 12 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Of course
Stretch marks? Nope.
Best moment this week: Feeling lots and lots of movement! Catching me off guard with really strong sucker punches!
Miss Anything? Sleep!
Movement: All day and night
Food cravings: Never :/
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: I would say so...I was called a butterball this week and questioned if it really is a girl because of how I am carrying!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Nope.
Belly Button in or out? Almost flat.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Looking forward to: Making her lots of stuff...I've put it off a little to long!

30 Weeks and counting

Wish I would have been doing this all along...
How far along? 30 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: about 14 lbs.Maternity clothes? Of Course!

Stretch marks? Nope.Best moment this week: 3d Ultrasound! And discovering that Aubree Kate has a guardian angel. Check out the picture below, bottom right.

Miss Anything? Sweets! With the whole Gestational Diabetes thing I'm watching everything!
Movement: ALL the time! The other day I put classical music on my cell phone and placed it on my tummy! I'm pretty sure she was trying to direct for the womb. The phone was on a rollercoaster, we couldn't stop laughing!
Food cravings: Nope :/ I really wish at some point I can send Ryan to get something odd at an odd time.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes!
Gender: Girl, still!
Labor Signs: Nope, she is definitely in my ribs though! OUCH! And the occasional Braxton Contractions, especially when I'm on a walk.
Belly Button in or out? Still in..holding strong
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Ryan told me just last night I'm the perfect pregnant wife and he thinks he'll just keep me this way! Um thanks but NO thanks!
Looking forward to: Finishing up the nursery and upcoming showers!